PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Callum McCewen (ranked 1004 p4p, 2506 weight class) and Raine Rockford (ranked 110 p4p, 248 weight class). McCewen comes to the cage accompanied by Highway to Hell - AC/DC. Callum McCewen has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

McCewen
vs
Rockford

175 cm
24
163
11 - 5 - 0

180 cm
22
165
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Callum McCewen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raine Rockford!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rockford jabs McCewen right on the nose. McCewen blinks but takes it well.

McCewen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McCewen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rockford.
Rockford goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McCewen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCewen trying to land knees to the body.
Rockford pushes McCewen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Rockford successfully pulls guard.

Rockford looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rockford managing to control the position.
Let's hope that Rockford 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.
Rockford lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCewen keeping moving, preventing Rockford from controlling successfully.
Rockford pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCewen is keeping the position for now.
Rockford trying to control but McCewen is working from the bottom.
McCewen keeping full guard, as Rockford tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McCewen has a closed guard, preventing Rockford from standing up.
Rockford wants to pass the guard but McCewen is keeping the position.
McCewen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rockford on the ground.

Rockford drops back looking for a leg! McCewen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and McCewen manages to kick Rockford off! Rockford jumps back into McCewen's guard.
Rockford pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCewen is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockford is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Rockford is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! McCewen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! McCewen has escaped and now he's on top!

McCewen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rockford is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McCewen is aware though and is defending well.

McCewen is posturing up here but Rockford has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! McCewen tries to roll out but it's too tight and McCewen has to tap! Slick submission there by Rockford!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Raine Rockford!
A relieved looking Raine Rockford thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.