PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcos Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Boddy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Romero comes to the cage accompanied by Perry Mason. 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.

Romero
vs
Boddy

171 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
20
145 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Win Nutritional - proof of quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcos Romero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Boddy!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Daniel Cesar and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Romero closes the distance and clinches.

Romero lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Romero slips a nice elbow through Boddy's hands, connecting with Boddy's forehead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Romero is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Boddy has managed to free his arm - good work.
Boddy regains full guard. Nicely done.
Boddy is trying to control the position but Romero postures up.
Romero trying to control the position from guard on top but Boddy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Romero accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Romero has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Boddy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero throwing strikes from guard but Boddy blocks nicely.
Boddy pulls Romero in close to prevent any damage.
Romero throws and elbow that misses. Boddy uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Romero's guard. Nice move by Boddy!
Romero wants to control the position but Boddy says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Romero is trying to get back to full guard.

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.
Boddy wants to pass to mount but Romero is defending the position.
Romero throws a strike from the bottom but Boddy passes into side control!
Boddy happy to just control the position for now.
Boddy takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Romero to pass into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero is wriggling around trying to escape.
Boddy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Romero is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Romero is trying to reverse the position but instead Boddy has taken his back - oops!
Boddy tries to keep control of the position but Romero is staying busy.
Boddy keeps control of the position as Romero tries to break free.
Boddy is riding his opponent, not letting Romero buck him off.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Romero is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marcos Romero will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Romero.
Romero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Boddy gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Romero counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Boddy's guard now.
Romero thows a big elbow that misses.
Romero looking to sit in guard and control but Boddy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Romero looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Boddy puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Romero is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Boddy has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Romero is trying to reverse the position but instead Boddy has taken his back - oops!
Boddy keeps control of the position as Romero tries to break free.
Romero is working hard here to advance position.
Will Boddy go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's two 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.
Romero just trying to survive but Boddy is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Romero tries to roll but Boddy sticks to his back.
Boddy is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Romero tries to roll but Boddy sticks to his back.
Romero is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Boddy.
Boddy trying to control momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero is really stuck here.
Romero tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Romero really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Boddy controlling his opponent.

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.

Boddy is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Romero tries to clinch up.
Romero gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Boddy counters with a head kick.
Marcos Romero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Boddy shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Boddy showed some decent athleticism there.
Boddy has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Boddy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Boddy shoots for a takedown but Romero saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Romero instigates a clinch.

Romero ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Romero no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Romero is striking off his back. Boddy thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Romero is trying to escape back to his feet but Boddy uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Boddy takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Romero to pass into mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Boddy has isolated one of Romero's arms. Romero looking to fight him off but Boddy twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Boddy!