PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andre De La Rosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lance Darian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Darian has chosen Fly By Night as his entrance music. Lance Darian struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 187.0lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. 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.

De La Rosa
vs
Darian

190 cm
31
190 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

185 cm
24
203 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andre De La Rosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Lance Darian!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De La Rosa throws a series of strikes that have Darian backpedaling.
Darian fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Darian looks for the body kick but De La Rosa saw that one coming.
De La Rosa throws a right hand that misses
and Darian counters with a body kick.
A clash of legs there as De La Rosa blocks the low kick.
De La Rosa is looking to clinch.
De La Rosa doesn't manage to clinch there - Darian circles away.
De La Rosa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Darian waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract De La Rosa.
Darian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

De La Rosa clinches with his opponent.
De La Rosa has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Darian after a bit of a struggle.
De La Rosa has Darian pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Darian manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
De La Rosa drops down looking for an ankle pick but Darian pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre De La Rosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Darian misses with an uppercut. De La Rosa saw that one coming.
Darian circles away from the clinch attempt
and Darian counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.

De La Rosa moves into range and clinches up with Darian.

De La Rosa is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Darian can't fight it off and eventually De La Rosa manages to take the fight to the floor. Darian looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Darian pulls De La Rosa in close to his closed guard and prevents De La Rosa from doing any damage or advancing position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
De La Rosa postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Darian has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

De La Rosa drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Darian manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now De La Rosa has Darian in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darian wants to pass the guard but De La Rosa is keeping the position.

De La Rosa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Darian doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Darian manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Darian pushing down on De La Rosa's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
De La Rosa makes his way to full guard. A much better position for De La Rosa.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Darian accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

De La Rosa working for a triangle but Darian defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
De La Rosa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Darian defends well.

De La Rosa throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Darian escapes and throws De La Rosa's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
De La Rosa sneaks back into half guard.
De La Rosa regains full guard. Nicely done.
Darian tries to stand but De La Rosa is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

De La Rosa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Darian can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

De La Rosa looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Darian passes into half guard.
Darian not doing much here.
Darian is trying to control. De La Rosa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

De La Rosa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Darian wants to take a breather but De La Rosa is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre De La Rosa dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Darian is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by De La Rosa.
De La Rosa tries to clinch up but Darian circles away and keeps his distance.
Andre De La Rosa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Darian throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Darian throws a low kick, looking for De La Rosa's leg but De La Rosa calmly moves out of range.
De La Rosa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Darian misses with a two punch combination.
De La Rosa tries to close the distance and clinch but Darian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Darian misses the jab.
De La Rosa tries to clinch there but Darian circles away.
Darian misses with a low kick as De La Rosa jumps back.
De La Rosa darts in trying to clinch
and Darian counters with a nice uppercut.

De La Rosa shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. De La Rosa showed some decent athleticism there.
Darian controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darian tries to get to full guard but De La Rosa has control of the leg.

Darian is defending against the submission attempts here by De La Rosa.
Darian blocking the ground and pound attempt from De La Rosa.
De La Rosa prevents Darian from improving his position.

De La Rosa is trying to work for a kimura but Darian is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De La Rosa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
De La Rosa is working hard here to advance position.
Darian trying to hold on to De La Rosa's head to control him but De La Rosa postures up.

De La Rosa is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Darian is just riding it out for now. De La Rosa eventually gives up the hold.
De La Rosa throws a strike but Darian avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De La Rosa postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
De La Rosa wants to control from the top but Darian keeps moving.
De La Rosa throws a big right hand that misses.
De La Rosa wants to control from the top but Darian keeps moving.
De La Rosa with a flurry of punches that miss.
De La Rosa wants to control from the top but Darian keeps moving.

De La Rosa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Darian is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of De La Rosa, into his guard.
Darian showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

De La Rosa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Darian gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

De La Rosa looking for subs off his back but Darian has passed one foot through into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

De La Rosa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Darian pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre De La Rosa dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

De La Rosa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
De La Rosa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Darian tries to avoid it but De La Rosa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Darian to the ground. Darian escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
De La Rosa tries to clinch but Darian moves out of range.
Darian throws a leg kick but De La Rosa sees it coming and moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - De La Rosa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
De La Rosa shoots in but no luck this time.
Darian swats away the attempt to clinch by De La Rosa.
De La Rosa misses with a wild combination.
Darian keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre De La Rosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Darian. De La Rosa does a little dance to reset his feet.
De La Rosa tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Darian counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
De La Rosa tries to clinch there but Darian circles away.
Darian bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps De La Rosa's head backwards.
De La Rosa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Darian's waist but Darian gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing De La Rosa off to one side.
De La Rosa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A nice inside leg kick there by Darian. That's going to slow De La Rosa down.
De La Rosa moves out of range of the body kick from Darian.

De La Rosa manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Darian on his heels. He'll look to pass Darian's guard now, I'm sure.
De La Rosa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
De La Rosa prevents Darian from getting back to his feet.
De La Rosa chips away with some ground and pound.
Darian wants to stand and escape but De La Rosa is having none of it.
De La Rosa postures up in Darian's guard and throws a big left but Darian blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Darian is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

De La Rosa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Darian is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of De La Rosa, into his guard.
De La Rosa keeping moving, preventing Darian from controlling successfully.

Darian gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Darian tries to score with a low kick but De La Rosa moves his leg out of the way.

De La Rosa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

De La Rosa decides to stand back up. De La Rosa steps back and let's Darian get back to his feet.
De La Rosa tries to clinch up.
De La Rosa lands with a kick to the temple. Darian shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Darian throws a push kick but De La Rosa slaps the foot to one side.
De La Rosa misses with a double jab
and Darian counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

De La Rosa clinches up with Darian and pushes him back against the cage.
De La Rosa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Darian fights it off and pushes away nicely.
De La Rosa tries to clinch up.
Darian throws a right and a left that both miss.

De La Rosa moves into the clinch.

De La Rosa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De La Rosa checks a leg kick nicely.
Darian throws a shot from downtown. De La Rosa moves away and avoids it.
De La Rosa tries to close the distance and clinch but Darian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Darian catches De La Rosa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
De La Rosa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Darian swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Darian misses the shot to the body.
De La Rosa staying out of range there.
Darian keeps the fight on the outside.
De La Rosa is looking to clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - De La Rosa scores with a four punch combination!
De La Rosa tries to close the distance and clinch but Darian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
De La Rosa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
De La Rosa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lance Darian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andre De La Rosa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
De La Rosa fails in his attempt to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andre De La Rosa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for De La Rosa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre De La Rosa!
Andre De La Rosa managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, TFP Graphics - Pit Inc, into his post fight interview.