PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan The Wrath (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Rolston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

The Wrath
vs
Rolston

185 cm
27
163 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

170 cm
28
150 lbs
7 - 6 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
World class MT
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ryan The Wrath!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ricky Rolston!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Wrath turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rolston lands a jab to the head.
Rolston misses the shot to the body.
Rolston swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The Wrath scores with a head kick.
Rolston has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from The Wrath.
Rolston checks the leg kick nicely there.
The Wrath tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rolston is able to avoid easily.
The Wrath keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The Wrath misses with a low kick.
Rolston throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The Wrath ducks under a wild hook from Rolston.
The Wrath tries to score with a low kick but Rolston moves his leg out of the way.
The Wrath throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rolston misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from The Wrath.
The Wrath with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rolston blocks a low kick nicely.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from The Wrath, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Wrath lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rolston will feel that in the morning.
Rolston moves into range and connects with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rolston. The Wrath does a little dance to reset his feet.
The Wrath attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rolston dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A slapping body kick lands there for The Wrath.
Rolston avoids the head kick by The Wrath.
Rolston throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The Wrath lands with a kick to the temple. Rolston shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The Wrath connects with a solid leg kick.
The Wrath throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
The Wrath throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rolston lands a jab to the head.
Rolston blocks a head kick by The Wrath.
Rolston thows a body shot but no joy.
The Wrath will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rolston works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by The Wrath.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The Wrath ducks under a wild hook from Rolston.
Rolston shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rolston scores with a crisp jab that stopped The Wrath in his tracks.
Rolston tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rolston with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rolston fakes high and swings low for a body shot but The Wrath manages to avoid it.
The Wrath tries to close the distance and clinch but Rolston swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rolston is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down The Wrath rather than just go for the knockout.
Rolston connects with a single shot there.
The Wrath throws a leg kick but Rolston sees it coming and moves out of range.
The Wrath is looking to slow Rolston down with leg kicks.
Ryan The Wrath seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rolston dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The Wrath lands with a kick to the ribs.
Rolston thows a body shot but no joy.
The Wrath takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rolston misses with a wild body shot.
The Wrath throws a low kick but Rolston moves out of range easily.
The Wrath misses with a body kick.
Rolston connects with the punch.
The Wrath lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rolston's sensitive parts.
The Wrath throws a nice outside leg kick.

Rolston closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. The Wrath did well to prevent Rolston getting side control.
The Wrath wants to control but Rolston is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rolston tries to pass the half guard into mount. The Wrath knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The Wrath is staying active underneath Rolston, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Rolston is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The Wrath is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Wrath is not content to let Rolston control the position.
Rolston tries to pass to full mount but The Wrath defends it.
The Wrath knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rolston on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Wrath wants to control but Rolston is keeping busy and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rolston has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from The Wrath.
The Wrath tried to score with a low kick but Rolston checks it.
Rolston checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ryan The Wrath is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rolston comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The Wrath throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rolston lands a body shot.
Rolston's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Rolston misses with a lunging right hand
and The Wrath finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
The Wrath lands a nice looking kick to the body. Rolston takes a step back to recover.
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 Ryan The Wrath will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rolston throws a hook to the side of The Wrath's head but The Wrath sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rolston connects with a crisp jab.
Rolston has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from The Wrath.
Rolston fakes high and swings low for a body shot but The Wrath manages to avoid it.
The Wrath avoids the body shot from Rolston.
Rolston misses with a looping left.
Ryan The Wrath is winning the standup battle so far.
Rolston ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The Wrath misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rolston blocks a head kick by The Wrath.
Rolston blocks a leg kick.
Rolston tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but The Wrath was well out of range. Poor timing from Rolston.
Rolston fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The Wrath tries to land a leg kick but Rolston saw it coming and moves away.
The Wrath misses with a low kick.
Rolston digs a good body shot into The Wrath's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Wrath throws a nice inside leg kick.
The Wrath misses with a head kick.
The Wrath looking to land some kicks to the body here.
The Wrath thuds his shin into the meat of Rolston's side.
The Wrath throws a low kick but Rolston moves out of range easily.
The Wrath throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rolston.
The Wrath pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rolston blocks a head kick by The Wrath.
The Wrath lands a leg kick that knocks Rolston off balance momentarily.
Rolston swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rolston lands with a cross.
The Wrath tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rolston paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rolston throws a shot from downtown. The Wrath moves away and avoids it.
Rolston throws a good cross that connects.
Rolston swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Wrath tries to move into range but Rolston moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rolston swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rolston throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rolston fakes high and swings low for a body shot but The Wrath manages to avoid it.
That kick from The Wrath tenderised Rolston's leg. Rolston is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Wrath throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

The Wrath gets a clinch.
Rolston wants to take the fight to the mat but The Wrath manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The Wrath unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The Wrath misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rolston.

Rolston turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rolston manages to end up in side control.
The Wrath wants to control but Rolston postures up.
Rolston controls the position from side control.

Rolston is trying to get an arm triangle but The Wrath is defending well.

Rolston tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rolston has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rolston thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The Wrath wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rolston is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, The Wrath has escaped the position, nice work there.
The Wrath is trying to get back to half guard.
The Wrath is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rolston asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Rolston working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rolston wants to lay and pray for a moment but The Wrath keeps working.
The Wrath is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Rolston seems to be working for a kimura but The Wrath defends the submission attempt.
The Wrath desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Rolston is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed The Wrath to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rolston drops back looking for a leg! The Wrath is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and The Wrath manages to kick Rolston off! Rolston jumps back into The Wrath's guard.
The Wrath is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ricky Rolston will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

The Wrath pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rolston avoids the head kick by The Wrath.
Rolston ducks down and throws a hook to the body but The Wrath moves away.
The Wrath tries to clinch up but Rolston circles away and keeps his distance.
The Wrath scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The Wrath scores with a nice body kick.
The Wrath fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rolston checks it well.
The Wrath throws a sloppy head kick and Rolston moves out of range easily.

Rolston closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. The Wrath quickly recovers to half guard.
Rolston is controlling the pace.
The Wrath gets full guard.

Rolston drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and The Wrath dives on top into guard.
Rolston pulls The Wrath in close to his closed guard and prevents The Wrath from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rolston is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. The Wrath is aware though and is defending well.
The Wrath wanted to stand there but Rolston had control of the position.
Rolston keeping moving, preventing The Wrath from controlling successfully.
The Wrath is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rolston is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rolston looking to control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The Wrath wants to stand but Rolston has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Rolston is controlling The Wrath's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ricky Rolston was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A leg kick checked by Rolston.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Wrath fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rolston.
Rolston sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Rolston decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rolston wants to lay and pray for a moment but The Wrath keeps working.

Rolston is looking for a kimura here.
The Wrath is trying to maintain the position but Rolston is very close to passing his half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rolston is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and The Wrath defends it well.
Rolston is pressing down on The Wrath's thigh, looking to free his foot. The Wrath is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Wrath wants to get back to his feet.
Rolston tries to pass to full mount but The Wrath defends it.
Ricky Rolston has got the better of the ground game so far.
The Wrath is trying to stand back up but Rolston is controlling him
Rolston trying to control from half guard but The Wrath is working away.
The Wrath moves into full guard.

Rolston gets to his feet. The Wrath looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The Wrath tries to score with a low kick but Rolston moves his leg out of the way.
Rolston fakes high and swings low for a body shot but The Wrath manages to avoid it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from The Wrath.
The Wrath connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rolston throws a body punch but The Wrath moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rolston just misses with a punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rolston. The Wrath does a little dance to reset his feet.
The Wrath tries to clinch there but Rolston circles away.
The Wrath avoids the body shot from Rolston.
The Wrath scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rolston cracks The Wrath with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The Wrath misses with a head kick.
Rolston checks a low kick from The Wrath.
Rolston takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
That kick from The Wrath tenderised Rolston's leg. Rolston is trying to keep his angry face on.
The Wrath turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rolston. The Wrath does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rolston swings for the body but The Wrath moves out of range.
The Wrath moves in looking to clinch but Rolston pushes him off.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ryan The Wrath.
I think The Wrath has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Rolston!