PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jakob Rolf (ranked 91 p4p, 338 weight class) and Steve McMichael (ranked 13 p4p, 46 weight class). Rolf comes to the cage accompanied by AVGN Theme Song. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rolf
vs
McMichael

180 cm
33
169
26 - 17 - 0

183 cm
25
174
10 - 2 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

Champion Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jakob Rolf!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve McMichael!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rolf connects with a body shot.
Rolf cracks a nice hook into McMichael's ribs.
Rolf takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rolf loads up on a big right hand but McMichael slips the punch.
Rolf feints a jab promting McMichael to slip. Rolf then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McMichael slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
McMichael bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McMichael ducks under a wild hook from Rolf.
McMichael misses with a body shot.
McMichael slaps away a takedown attempt from Rolf, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rolf's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Rolf duly obliges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McMichael blocks a jab.
Rolf throws the left hand but McMichael avoids the punch easily.
A little jabbing left from McMichael on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rolf lands a nice shot to the body.
Rolf keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rolf changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
McMichael throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rolf misses with an uppercut. McMichael saw that one coming.
McMichael takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
McMichael throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rolf wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
McMichael throws a big shot that misses.
A slow jab from Rolf misses its intended target.
McMichael tries a quick counter leg kick but Rolf is wise to it.
A swing and a miss from McMichael.
McMichael avoids the body shot from Rolf.

Rolf gets a double leg takedown into McMichael's guard.

McMichael looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rolf slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rolf is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McMichael has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McMichael actively working from the bottom here.
Rolf wants to lay and pray for a moment but McMichael keeps working.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McMichael trying to control from the bottom.
Rolf is trying to control. McMichael wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
McMichael desperately trying to maintain half guard.
McMichael moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rolf advances to half guard.

McMichael is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rolf pulls his head out easily.

Rolf is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McMichael has managed to free his arm - good work.
McMichael is staying active underneath Rolf, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McMichael is looking for a sweep. Rolf is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McMichael is trying to control but can't.

McMichael is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rolf pulls his head out easily.
McMichael tries to roll over but Rolf keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rolf is looking to advance position but McMichael won't allow it.

Rolf is sneakily working for an arm triangle but McMichael sees it coming and defends easily.
McMichael is controlling Rolf's trapped leg to prevent Rolf from advancing to side control.
Rolf is trying to control the action in half guard but McMichael is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Rolf is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Rolf is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McMichael defends it well.
Rolf works his way into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jakob Rolf dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rolf throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rolf misses with a right hand
and McMichael cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McMichael tried to score with a low kick but Rolf checks it.
Rolf avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rolf gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McMichael counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rolf doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McMichael throws the left hand but Rolf avoids the punch easily.
McMichael ducks under a wild hook from Rolf.
McMichael thinks about the counter body kick.
Rolf takes a swing at McMichael's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rolf throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rolf takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rolf swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rolf shoots in and drives through. McMichael sprawls well.
McMichael misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMichael tries a low kick but Rolf avoids it.
McMichael fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rolf checks it well.
Rolf is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Rolf tries to clinch but McMichael moves away
and McMichael counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rolf clobbers McMichael with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rolf tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McMichael defends well and Rolf ends up having to push McMichael into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jakob Rolf. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McMichael lands a body shot in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rolf.
A hook to the body from McMichael.
McMichael is working Rolf over against the cage.
McMichael tries a body shot but Rolf blocks it.
A nice right hand lands inside from McMichael.
McMichael scores with a shoulder strike.
A nice left hand lands by Rolf.
Rolf lands a shoulder strike.

McMichael manages to break the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice straight punches there by McMichael. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of McMichael.
McMichael slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rolf scores with a body shot.
Rolf swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McMichael misses the shot to the body.
A big right from Rolf misses.
McMichael getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Rolf is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McMichael.
McMichael lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Jakob Rolf has been cut.
Jakob Rolf is winning the standup battle so far.
Rolf lands a glancing blow to the side of McMichael's head.
McMichael looks to land a right hand but Rolf moved out of range.
McMichael takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rolf comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McMichael bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McMichael walks into a straight right hand from Rolf.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rolf looks to score with a jab to the body but McMichael is just out of range.
Rolf fails with the takedown.
Steve McMichael is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McMichael wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A telegraphed right hand from McMichael misses the target.
McMichael works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
McMichael scores with a nice body kick.
McMichael scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
McMichael takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McMichael throws a hook to the side of Rolf's head but Rolf sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rolf swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rolf takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rolf throws a looping overhand right but McMichael ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rolf lands a nice looking body shot.
McMichael scores with a nice strike.
Jakob Rolf seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McMichael throws a body shot but no joy.
McMichael throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McMichael bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rolf's head backwards.
Rolf throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McMichael stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rolf stuns McMichael with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rolf shoots in for a takedown but McMichael shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A big right from Rolf misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McMichael! But no joy.
Rolf looks to throw the jab but McMichael is out of range.
McMichael is looking for the big counter here.
Rolf throws a right and a left that both miss.
McMichael throws a right hand that misses

and Rolf counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rolf.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Steve McMichael showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jakob Rolf's cut.
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.

McMichael slips a jab from Rolf.
McMichael looks to score with a jab to the body but Rolf is just out of range.
A jab from McMichael misses.
Nice sprawl there from McMichael as Rolf shoots in.
McMichael moves away from the strike by Rolf.
Rolf throws a body punch but McMichael moves out of range.
McMichael ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rolf moves away.
McMichael lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
McMichael swings widly with a right hand
and Rolf counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McMichael avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rolf with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McMichael to score with a decent uppercut.
Rolf tries to clinch up.

Rolf closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMichael struggles to land a body shot inside as Rolf controls his hands.
Rolf working aggressively here.
Rolf swings wildly with an uppercut but McMichael uses good head movement to avoid it.
McMichael wants to stall.
Rolf goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short body shot lands from McMichael as the two fighters clinch.
McMichael lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rolf.

McMichael pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McMichael throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rolf lands with a shot to the body.
Rolf's jab looks to have found its range, popping McMichael under the eye.
McMichael misses with a body shot.
McMichael misses with a wild body shot.
Rolf is looking to counter punch.
Good leg kick by McMichael.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rolf lands with a cross.
A cross from Rolf lands.

Rolf darts in and clinches McMichael up against the cage.
Rolf scores with a hook to the body.
McMichael takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rolf misses with a short punch on the inside.
McMichael tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rolf misses with a body punch.
Rolf throws a head punch that misses.
Rolf misses with a short punch on the inside.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McMichael.
Rolf has a couple of punches blocked by McMichael.
Rolf swings wildly with an uppercut but McMichael uses good head movement to avoid it.
McMichael is leaning against Rolf and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
McMichael scores with a shoulder strike.
McMichael looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rolf swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McMichael blocking some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Rolf.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McMichael.
Rolf drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McMichael gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Still in the clinch, McMichael scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rolf swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rolf swings wildly with an uppercut but McMichael uses good head movement to avoid it.
A hook to the body from Rolf.
McMichael lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rolf backwards.
McMichael lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rolf backwards.
Come on McMichael - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rolf tries to close the distance and clinch up but McMichael swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rolf shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McMichael but McMichael pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jakob Rolf. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McMichael swings for the body but Rolf moves out of range.

Rolf takes the fight into the clinch.
McMichael tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rolf's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rolf.
Rolf fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McMichael blocks a body shot from Rolf.
A right handed body shot lands from McMichael.
McMichael lands with a right to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Rolf fails to land.
A hook to the body from Rolf.
Rolf misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jakob Rolf did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Jakob Rolf's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rolf throws a hook but McMichael avoids it easily.
McMichael misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rolf.
McMichael misses the shot to the body.
Rolf is looking to clinch but McMichael is avoiding it.
McMichael misses with a body shot.
McMichael lands a head kick!
McMichael throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rolf sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rolf swings for the body but McMichael moves out of range.
Rolf jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rolf. McMichael does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rolf shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McMichael as he jumps to the side.
McMichael doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Rolf avoids the body shot from McMichael.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMichael tries to score with a low kick but Rolf moves his leg out of the way.
McMichael misses with a head kick.
Rolf throws the left hand but McMichael avoids the punch easily.
Rolf connects with a body shot.
A big left from Rolf misses.
Nice takedown defense from McMichael. No joy for Rolf on that attempt.
Rolf throws a hook to the side of McMichael's head but McMichael sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McMichael looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Rolf looks to throw the jab but McMichael is out of range.
Rolf throws a sloppy body shot
and McMichael counters with a right hand to the body.
Rolf misses with an uppercut.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McMichael! But no joy.
Nice body punch from Rolf.
Rolf keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rolf throws a combination that misses
and McMichael counters with a left and a right that stings Rolf.
Rolf misses with a left hand
and McMichael counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rolf throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McMichael fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
McMichael closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rolf fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McMichael manages to avoid it.
McMichael lands an overhand right.
McMichael darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rolf misses with a hook. McMichael ducked under it nicely.
Rolf throws a body shot but no joy.
Rolf misses with a hook to the body
and McMichael counters with a left to the body.
Rolf slips a jab from McMichael.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rolf tries for a takedown but McMichael circles away easily
and McMichael counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jakob Rolf. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McMichael throws a nice head kick!
McMichael takes a swing at Rolf's ribcage but misses.
Rolf throws a right hand that McMichael ducks under and follows up with a left that McMichael also avoids with ease.
Rolf tries to clinch
and McMichael counters with an inside leg kick.
Rolf misses with an uppercut
and McMichael connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McMichael misses with a wild body shot.
It looked like Rolf wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Rolf shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
McMichael trying to keep a closed guard but Rolf is proving a slippery customer.
Rolf slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rolf is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McMichael knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
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!
Rolf working away.
Rolf controls the position.
Rolf trying to control the action but McMichael is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on McMichael's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Steve McMichael will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jakob Rolf's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rolf fails with an attempt to clinch.
A nice side step and McMichael releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
McMichael keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McMichael throws a counter combo.
McMichael lands a right hook to the body.
Rolf throws a shot to the body.
Rolf looks to score with a jab to the body but McMichael is just out of range.
McMichael throws a body shot but no joy.
Rolf on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McMichael. McMichael obviously looking to wear him down.
Rolf fails with an attempt to clinch.
McMichael swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McMichael throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rolf shoots and misses
and McMichael counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rolf.
Rolf uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McMichael.
A shot to the body from Rolf misses
and McMichael counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMichael ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rolf moves away.
Rolf throws a hook to the side of McMichael's head but McMichael sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rolf looks to score with a jab to the body but McMichael is just out of range.
Donk. Rolf catches McMichael right on the button with a cross.
Rolf ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rolf misses with a two punch combination.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rolf or perhaps it was just good defense by McMichael, which made it look bad.
A head kick misses from McMichael.
Rolf fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jakob Rolf. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rolf misses with a takedown
and Rolf takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rolf just misses with a punch to the body.
McMichael is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Rolf misses with a takedown attempt
and McMichael counters with a head kick. That will keep Rolf thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
McMichael connects with a body shot that sends Rolf's belly button to the back.
McMichael tries to bum rush Rolf with a series of wild strikes but Rolf uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A jab from Rolf misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McMichael misses with a looping left.
Rolf takes one on the chin but seems OK.
McMichael doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McMichael paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rolf looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
McMichael misses with a wild combination.
A little feinted left hand from Rolf on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rolf tests McMichael's chin there with a solid looking shot.
McMichael takes a swing at Rolf's ribcage but misses.
Rolf tries for a takedown but McMichael circles away easily
and McMichael counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rolf thinking.
Rolf throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McMichael doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
McMichael staying out of range there.
McMichael looks to throw the jab but Rolf is out of range.
Rolf shoots in and drives through. McMichael sprawls well.
Rolf with a lazy takedown attempt
and McMichael counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rolf throws a lazy uppercut
and McMichael connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rolf fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMichael throws a head kick but Rolf moves out of range.
Rolf scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rolf misses with a body shot.
Rolf tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling McMichael to counter with a crisp jab.
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!
Rolf takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
McMichael uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rolf.
McMichael throws out a counter right but Rolf avoids it with no problem.
McMichael slips a jab from Rolf.
McMichael throws a sloppy body shot
letting Rolf counter with a right hand.
Rolf throws a shot from downtown. McMichael moves away and avoids it.
Rolf takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rolf shoots and misses
and McMichael counters with a right hand to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve McMichael comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McMichael has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 47:48
Judge James Glass scores the fight 47:49
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve McMichael!
Steve McMichael is the new welterweight champion!
After winning the bout, Steve McMichael thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
In defeat, Jakob Rolf stepped up to the mic, saying 'ASS!!! (https://youtu.be/c2ia8T4E2Mc)'.