PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Moneymaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kel Viola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Moneymaker
vs
Viola

175 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rocky Moneymaker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kel Viola!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Gwen Towbar and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moneymaker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Viola is fending him off so far but Moneymaker persists. Nope, Viola circles away and we're back to standing.

Moneymaker has closed the distance and engaged Viola in a clinch.

Viola lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Viola wants to stand up but Moneymaker is controlling the position.
Viola content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Viola passes into side control, despite Moneymaker's attempt to control the position.
Moneymaker tries to escape but Viola is in control.
Moneymaker is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viola trying to control the action but Moneymaker is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Moneymaker's face as Viola controls the position.
Moneymaker is trying to buck Viola off.
Moneymaker is trying to control Viola's posture but Viola avoids it.
Moneymaker tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nice body kick from Moneymaker.
Viola circles away from the clinch attempt.

Viola fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Moneymaker sprawls well initially but Viola persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Moneymaker is looking to improve his position.
Moneymaker is looking to control Viola's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Moneymaker avoid being mounted?
Viola passes into side control, despite Moneymaker's attempt to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viola is looking to take a break and control but Moneymaker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Moneymaker is trying to control Viola's posture but Viola avoids it.
A lull in the action here as Viola stalls from top position.
Moneymaker trying to control but Viola flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
I would not like to be Moneymaker right now.
You can see the frustration on Moneymaker's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Moneymaker staying busy and making it hard for Viola to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Moneymaker trying to control the hands but Viola breaks the grip.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kel Viola dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Moneymaker drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Moneymaker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Viola is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Viola wants to sweep but no luck.
Moneymaker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moneymaker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Viola is keeping the position for now.

Moneymaker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Viola is breathing heavily.
Moneymaker wants to pass the guard but Viola is keeping the position.
Moneymakeris looking to pass into half guard but Viola pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Viola is in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Moneymaker not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Moneymaker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Viola is one step ahead there.

Viola drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Viola jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Moneymaker looking for a sweep. Not yet Moneymaker, not yet.
Moneymaker is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viola trying to control the position from guard on top but Moneymaker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Viola has his takedown stuffed

and Moneymaker decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Viola's guard.
Moneymaker wants to control from the top but Viola keeps moving.
Moneymaker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Moneymaker with a flurry of punches that miss.
Moneymaker has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Viola looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moneymaker wants to control from the top but Viola keeps moving.
Viola has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Viola keeping full guard, as Moneymaker tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Moneymaker dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Viola is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Moneymaker's half guard.
Viola is looking to take a break and control but Moneymaker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Viola is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Moneymaker is looking to get back to is feet but Viola passes into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Moneymaker is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moneymaker struggling a bit here.
Moneymaker being controlled for a moment.
Viola advances nicely into full mount.

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.
Viola tries to control but Moneymaker wriggling away.
Moneymaker is trying desperately to improve position.
Moneymaker has given up his back here.
Moneymaker is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Moneymaker controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Viola controlling the positon.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is taking a good look at Moneymaker as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Viola!
Moneymaker tries to escape but Viola has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

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.
Moneymaker has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Viola trying to control momentarily.
Viola is riding his opponent, not letting Moneymaker buck him off.
You can see the frustration on Moneymaker's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Moneymaker is trying to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kel Viola comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Viola 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kel Viola!