PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ed Rosenthal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christian Wesley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rosenthal comes to the cage accompanied by 2 Hits. Wesley has chosen Eminem - Go To Sleep as his entrance music. 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.

Rosenthal
vs
Wesley

190 cm
27
212 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

186 cm
27
210 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

QFClothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ed Rosenthal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Christian Wesley!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wesley tries to clinch but Rosenthal is having none of it.
Rosenthal throws out a loose jab but Wesley uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wesley tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rosenthal sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wesley somewhat.
Wesley misses with a hook.

Wesley feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wesley being controlled here momentarily.
Rosenthal is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wesley slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Rosenthal is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rosenthal managing to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

We're going to have a standup here because Ed Rosenthal wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Rosenthal is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Wesley.
Rosenthal throws out a loose jab but Wesley uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rosenthal scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

It looks like Christian Wesley has been cut.
Rosenthal swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Wesley counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Wesley instigates a clinch.
Rosenthal is trying to push Wesley away but Wesley has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Wesley has a couple of punches blocked by Rosenthal.
Rosenthal is trying to break the clinch but Wesley is controlling him.
Wesley tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Wesley misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal trying to stall but Wesley improves his position.
Rosenthal can't find room to land a body shot as Wesley controls the action.
Wesley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wesley works on Rosenthal's body with a couple of short punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wesley lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Wesley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rosenthal's elbow.
Rosenthal is trying to break the clinch but Wesley has him pressed against the cage.
Wesley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rosenthal's elbow.
Wesley stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Wesley can't find room to land a body shot as Rosenthal controls the action.
Wesley lands a left hand.
Wesley pushes Rosenthal back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rosenthal.
Wesley misses with a punch to the body.
Wesley tries a body shot but Rosenthal blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rosenthal manages to break the clinch.
Rosenthal just misses with a punch to the body.
Wesley turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Wesley thows a body kick. Rosenthal tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Wesley closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rosenthal is trying to get back to full guard.
Wesley keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Rosenthal is refusing to be controlled, as Wesley sits in half guard.
Rosenthal tries to roll over but Wesley keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wesley is trying to control. Rosenthal wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Christian Wesley wasn't active enough on the ground.
Wesley is looking to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Wesley throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rosenthal tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Wesley is in Rosenthal's guard.
Rosenthal will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Wesley content to stall in guard here.
Wesley trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wesley accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wesley trying to control but Rosenthal is working from the bottom.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wesley is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Christian Wesley wasn't active enough on the ground.

Wesley darts in and clinches Rosenthal up against the cage.
Wesley tries to throw a body punch but Rosenthal avoids it by throwing Wesley back against the cage.
Rosenthal has had enough of the clinch but Wesley keeps him there for the moment.
Rosenthal blocking some punches.
Rosenthal blocks an uppercut.
Rosenthal softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Wesley tries to work over Rosenthal's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wesley softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rosenthal is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Rosenthal is trying to break the clinch but Wesley is controlling him.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Wesley tries to work over Rosenthal's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wesley throws a punch but it's blocked by Rosenthal.
Rosenthal tries to break free but Wesley pushes him back against the cage.

Rosenthal breaks the clinch.
Rosenthal tries to clinch up but Wesley circles away and keeps his distance.
Rosenthal throws a nice looking combination but Wesley bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rosenthal throws a lazy uppercut
and Wesley counters with a stiff right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rosenthal missing with a left hand there. Wesley was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Wesley tries to clinch but Rosenthal is having none of it.

Wesley forces Rosenthal back against the cage and clinches.
Wesley misses with a hook to the ribs.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Wesley.

Rosenthal breaks the clinch.
Rosenthal throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Wesley fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rosenthal manages to avoid it.
Wesley tries to clinch but Rosenthal moves out of range.
The crowd cheers as Wesley lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rosenthal doesn't seem phased though.
Wesley throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Rosenthal wants to clinch up but Wesley keeps it at a distance.
Nice uppercut there from Wesley.
Rosenthal uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wesley.
Wesley shoots in and drives through. Rosenthal sprawls well.
Wesley slips a straight right by Rosenthal.
Rosenthal scores with a jab. Wesley acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rosenthal lands a nice looking body shot.
Rosenthal on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Wesley tries to clinch up.
Jab, jab by Rosenthal - just one landing.
Wesley wants to clinch.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wesley tries to clinch up but Rosenthal circles away and keeps his distance.
Wesley misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rosenthal keeps the fight on the outside.
Decent striking displayed by Rosenthal there.
Wesley throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rosenthal takes a swing at Wesley's ribcage but misses.
Jab by Rosenthal.
Rosenthal throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rosenthal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rosenthal misses with a wild combination.
Rosenthal tries to move into range but Wesley moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Wesley takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The fighters circling - Wesley throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wesley scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Wesley tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rosenthal swivels and escapes.
Ed Rosenthal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christian Wesley.
Wesley jabs Rosenthal to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rosenthal throws a poor cross that misses
and Wesley counters with an inside leg kick.
Rosenthal misses with a hook.
Rosenthal connects with a jab.
Wesley tries a head kick but it misses.
Rosenthal is looking to clinch but Wesley is avoiding it.
A jab from Wesley misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rosenthal throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rosenthal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rosenthal displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Wesley.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Wesley dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Christian Wesley's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rosenthal cracks Wesley with a right hand to the side of the head.
Wesley tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Rosenthal manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fighters circling - Rosenthal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wesley uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rosenthal.
Wesley swats away the attempt to clinch by Rosenthal.
Rosenthal stuffs the takedown.
Rosenthal checks a leg kick.

Rosenthal closes the distance and clinches.
Wesley tries to work over Rosenthal's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wesley can't find room to land a body shot as Rosenthal controls the action.
Rosenthal displaying some good clinch control by pressing Wesley up against the cage.
Wesley prevents Rosenthal from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wesley lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rosenthal backwards.
Wesley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rosenthal's elbow.
Rosenthal prevents the takedown attempt.
Wesley tries a body shot but Rosenthal blocks it.
Christian Wesley seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wesley goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wesley is working for takedown but Rosenthal is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ed Rosenthal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christian Wesley.

Rosenthal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rosenthal is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Rosenthal swings widly with a right hand
and Wesley counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rosenthal thinking.
Rosenthal throws a shot from downtown. Wesley moves away and avoids it.
Rosenthal throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rosenthal misses with a hook
and Wesley counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rosenthal lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wesley backs up against the cage.
Christian Wesley seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wesley misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Wesley instigates a clinch.
Wesley drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rosenthal pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rosenthal catches Wesley with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rosenthal missing with a left hand there. Wesley was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A slow jab from Wesley misses its intended target.
Rosenthal blocks a jab.
Wesley avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Wesley scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rosenthal wants to improve his position but Wesley is controlling well.
Wesley wants to take a breather but Rosenthal is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal is looking to improve his position.
Christian Wesley has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wesley throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Wesley works his foot free and advances to mount.
Wesley controlling his opponent.
Wesley lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wesley tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Wesley misses with some ground and pound and Rosenthal recovers position to half guard.
Rosenthal is staying active underneath Wesley, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Wesley is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Wesley content to stall in guard here.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wesley trying to control but Rosenthal is working from the bottom.
Wesley preventing the sweep.
Wesley is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Christian Wesley wasn't active enough on the ground.
Rosenthal walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rosenthal lands a glancing blow to the side of Wesley's head.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rosenthal.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal throws a hook but Wesley avoids it easily.
Rosenthal pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wesley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A lazy left from Rosenthal finds it's target.
Wesley wants to clinch up but Rosenthal keeps it at a distance.
Wesley ducks under a wild hook from Rosenthal.

Rosenthal has taken the fight to the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rosenthal blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rosenthal wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wesley has him pressed against the cage.
Wesley doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A frustrated look appears on Rosenthal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Wesley.
Rosenthal takes a shot to the head.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Wesley misses with a hook from the clinch.
A body shot lands from Rosenthal.
Wesley can't find room to land a body shot as Rosenthal controls the action.
Wesley swings wildly with an uppercut but Rosenthal uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rosenthal wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rosenthal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rosenthal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rosenthal prevents a body shot from Wesley.
Rosenthal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Wesley goes for a takedown attempt but Rosenthal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Wesley is defended easily by Rosenthal.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wesley takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Wesley throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Wesley fails to land with a series of punches.
Wesley shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rosenthal pinned against the cage. Rosenthal gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rosenthal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Wesley dives in and scores a takedown into Rosenthal's guard.
Wesley is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wesley trying to control but Rosenthal is working from the bottom.
Ed Rosenthal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rosenthal throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Wesley postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rosenthal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nice takedown defense from Rosenthal. No joy for Wesley on that attempt.
Wesley is looking to clinch but Rosenthal is avoiding it.
Rosenthal stuffs the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Christian Wesley.
I think Wesley 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Christian Wesley!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Christian Wesley!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Christian Wesley!

Christian Wesley wins by unanimous decision!
Christian Wesley made sure to mention his sponsor, [CBK] The Smashwear Corporation in his post fight interview.