PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Soul Taker (ranked 3641 p4p, 3474 weight class) and Tate Rosario (ranked 360 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Taker
vs
Rosario

190 cm
23
220
2 - 0 - 0

194 cm
25
205
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Soul Taker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tate Rosario!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Donatello Bradman and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rosario shoots in looking for a takedown. Taker tries to sprawl out of it but Rosario keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Taker manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Taker changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Taker scores with a three punch combo!
Rosario fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Taker avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rosario is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Taker's half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rosario is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Taker trying to hold on to Rosario's head to control him but Rosario postures up.
Rosario takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Rosario trying to control from half guard but Taker is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Rosario is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Taker has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rosario prevents Taker from improving his position.
Rosario is stalling here. Taker is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Rosario seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Taker has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Taker tries to move into full mount but can't pass Rosario's legs.
Rosario is not content to let Taker control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taker tries to move to mount but Rosario blocks the move with his legs.
Taker trying to control the position but Rosario is working away.
Rosario takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Taker tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Taker landing a few strikes.
Taker tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's four 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.
Taker misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Taker controls the position from side control.
Rosario is trying to control Taker's posture but Taker avoids it.
Rosario tries to buck Taker off but Taker is having none of it.
Rosario takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rosario has one of Taker's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Soul Taker dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rosario tries to sprawl but Taker drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Rosario slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Rosario looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rosario had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Taker defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taker trying to control but Rosario is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taker looking to sit in guard and control but Rosario gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taker working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rosario has passed into half guard!
Rosario is looking to stall here but Taker recovers full guard.
Taker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rosario can do to turn this around?
Rosario content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Taker keeping moving, preventing Rosario from controlling successfully.
Rosario stopping the sweep attempt from Taker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosario advances to half guard.
Taker is in trouble now - Rosario has advanced to mount!
Taker gets back to half guard.
Taker trying to hold on to Rosario's head to control him but Rosario postures up.

Rosario seems to be working for a kimura but Taker defends the submission attempt.
Rosario tries to pass the half guard into mount. Taker knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taker is trying to get back to full guard.
Rosario trying to control from half guard but Taker is working away.
Taker wants to control but Rosario is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Rosario seems to be looking for submissions.
Rosario is looking to stall here but Taker recovers full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tate Rosario showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rosario closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Taker to the mat! Taker manages to get full guard.
Taker looking to control.
Taker pulls Rosario in close to prevent any damage.
Rosario pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Taker is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rosario postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rosario trying to control the position from guard on top but Taker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Rosario working a defensive guard but Taker passes into half guard.

Rosario looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taker wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rosario keeps working.
Taker trying to control the pace.
Taker is thwarting Rosario's attempts to control the position.
Taker tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rosario knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rosario is pressing down on Taker's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rosario swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Taker with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Soul Taker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Taker throws a big elbow that misses.
Rosario trying to keep a closed guard but Taker is proving a slippery customer.

Rosario looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Taker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Taker trying to control but Rosario is working from the bottom.
Rosario controls Taker momentarily but Taker frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Taker lands a jab-cross combination.
Taker fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Taker stuffs the takedown attempt from Rosario. Rosario gets slowly back to his feet.
A nice combination there by Taker.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Taker scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Taker throws a combination. Rosario tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

And that's the end of the fight!
Soul Taker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Taker has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Soul Taker!