PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gary Russel Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Roland (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.

Russel Jr
vs
Roland

165 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gary Russel Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jason Roland!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Alyssa Summers and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roland pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jason Roland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russel Jr is looking to clinch.

Roland darts in and clinches Russel Jr up against the cage.

Roland pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Russel Jr fails with a takedown attempt.
Roland jabs at Russel Jr's body.
Russel Jr tries to clinch but Roland is having none of it.
A head kick from Roland lands but Russel Jr takes it in his stride.
Roland moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Roland misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Russel Jr.

Roland forces Russel Jr back against the cage and clinches.
Roland landing knees to the body.
Russel Jr wants to get back to striking at distance but Roland won't allow it.
Roland tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Russel Jr avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roland's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Roland throws a series of strikes that have Russel Jr backpedaling.
No luck for Russel Jr with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Russel Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russel Jr misses with a double jab.
Roland throws a one two combo.
Russel Jr shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Roland defends it nicely.
Russel Jr shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Roland pinned against the cage. Roland gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Roland throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Russel Jr tries to keep at a distance but Roland has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Roland.

Roland breaks the clinch.

Roland rushes Russel Jr and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Roland landing knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knees to the body from Roland.
Roland tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Russel Jr avoids it.

Roland manages to break the clinch.
Russel Jr shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Roland moves into range and clinches up with Russel Jr.

Roland breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roland connects with the punch.
Russel Jr is looking to clinch but Roland is avoiding it.
An inside leg kick lands from Roland.
Roland misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Roland throws a sloppy head kick and Russel Jr moves out of range easily.
Roland circles away from the clinch attempt.
Roland tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Russel Jr fails with a takedown attempt.
Russel Jr is breathing heavily.
Russel Jr throws a shot to the body.

Roland moves into range and clinches up with Russel Jr.

Roland breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Roland throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russel Jr tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Roland manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Russel Jr walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Russel Jr.

Roland gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Russel Jr fails to pull guard.
Roland keeps control of Russel Jr as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Russel Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Roland misses with a punch to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Roland breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russel Jr looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Roland is fending him off so far but Russel Jr persists. Nope, Roland circles away and we're back to standing.
Russel Jr dives in and grabs Roland's left leg, looking for a takedown. Roland pushes down on Russel Jr's head and hops out.
Roland lands a high kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Roland dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Roland misses with a few strikes there.

Roland closes the distance and clinches.
Roland lands a nice uppercut.

Roland breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Russel Jr wants to clinch but Roland slips to the side
and Roland counters with a nice uppercut.
Russel Jr takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Jason Roland seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Russel Jr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A shot to the body from Roland misses
and Roland takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Roland tries for a takedown but Russel Jr sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Russel Jr keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Roland.
A nice combination there by Roland.
Roland is looking to clinch.
Roland will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Roland is breathing heavily.
Roland swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roland darts in and clinches Russel Jr up against the cage.
Roland jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Russel Jr walks away with a smile on his face. Roland gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gary Russel Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Roland.
Russel Jr on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Roland. Roland obviously looking to wear him down.
Russel Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Roland but Roland pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Russel Jr closes this distance looking for a takedown but Roland circles away.
Russel Jr dives in and grabs Roland's left leg, looking for a takedown. Roland pushes down on Russel Jr's head and hops out.
Russel Jr looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Roland is fending him off so far but Russel Jr persists. Nope, Roland circles away and we're back to standing.
Russel Jr fails in his attempt to clinch.
A head kick from Roland lands but Russel Jr takes it in his stride.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Russel Jr. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Russel Jr tries to clinch
and Roland counters with a head kick.
Gary Russel Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel Jr blocks a head kick by Roland.

Roland clinches up against the cage.

Roland's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Russel Jr gets a takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Roland is staying active underneath Russel Jr, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Russel Jr with the ground and pound but Roland uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Russel Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Roland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Roland is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Roland manages to break the clinch.

Russel Jr takes the fight into the clinch.
Russel Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Roland utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Roland breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Roland fails to land with a series of punches.
Russel Jr takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roland looks to land a combination but Russel Jr avoids it well.
Nice sprawl there from Roland as Russel Jr shoots in.
Roland is looking to clinch but Russel Jr is avoiding it.
Russel Jr shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Roland as he jumps to the side.
Roland lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Roland.
Roland throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Roland throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Russel Jr lands with a nice body punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Roland takes the fight into the clinch.

Roland breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Roland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Roland has a takedown stuffed.
Roland swings for the body but Russel Jr moves out of range.
Roland misses with a two punch combination.
Roland moves out of range of the body kick.
Roland lands a high kick!
Roland lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Russel Jr circles away quickly and effectively.
Roland tries to clinch there but Russel Jr circles away.
Russel Jr throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Horrible takedown by Russel Jr or perhaps it was just good defense by Roland which made him look bad.
Roland is looking to clinch but Russel Jr is avoiding it.
Roland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Roland misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roland takes the fight into the clinch.
Roland crunches a lovely knee into Russel Jr's ribcage.
Russel Jr is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Roland prevents a body shot from Russel Jr.
Roland prevents Russel Jr from breaking the clinch.
Russel Jr looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Roland pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Russel Jr throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Roland.
Roland looks to land a combination but Russel Jr avoids it well.
Russel Jr blocks a head kick by Roland.
Russel Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Roland paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Roland throws a head kick but Russel Jr moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel Jr throws a head kick but Roland moves out of range.
Russel Jr looks for a takedown but Roland sprawls well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Roland.
Roland fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Russel Jr manages to avoid it.
A right-left combo lands from Russel Jr.
Roland is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Russel Jr rather than just go for the knockout.
Russel Jr tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Roland swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Russel Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roland tries to clinch but Russel Jr is having none of it.
Russel Jr lands with a good body shot.
Russel Jr dodges the punch combination from Roland.
Russel Jr is looking to land body kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Roland lands but Russel Jr takes it in his stride.
Russel Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No joy there for Roland, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Roland tries a head kick but it misses.
Russel Jr shoots in but no luck this time.
Roland closes the distance and lands a one-two.
No joy there for Russel Jr, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Roland gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Roland is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Russel Jr tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Roland just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Roland's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Roland pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Russel Jr fails with a takedown attempt.

Roland forces Russel Jr back against the cage and clinches.

Roland pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Roland.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Russel Jr fails with an attempt to clinch.
Russel Jr wants to clinch up but Roland keeps it at a distance.
Gary Russel Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jason Roland is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Roland pulls out of a head kick attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Roland comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Roland winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Roland!