PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Witt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hugo Rossi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Witt
vs
Rossi

165 cm
26
160 lbs
19 - 0 - 1

173 cm
25
153 lbs
13 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aaron Witt!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hugo Rossi!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Radbod Blank and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rossi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Witt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Witt connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rossi stuffs the takedown attempt from Witt. Witt gets slowly back to his feet.
Witt throws out a powerful jab.
Witt tries to clinch up but Rossi circles away and keeps his distance.
Witt tries to clinch but Rossi moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Witt.

Witt gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rossi blocking some punches.
Rossi blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Rossi pulls Witt into guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Rossi working for a triangle but Witt defends it easily.

Rossi working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Witt has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Witt throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Witt looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rossi is pressing down on Witt's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Witt working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Rossi is looking for a triangle but Witt pushes his legs off easily.
Witt keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rossi's head.
Witt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Witt wants to control from the top but Rossi keeps moving.
Witt landing some decent shots from guard.

Rossi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Witt defends it easily.
Witt has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Rossi has an active guard here but Witt has managed to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witt trying to control the pace.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rossi manages to get to full guard.

Witt got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rossi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Witt has managed to get both his arms back between Rossi's legs - danger averted.
Witt trying to control but Rossi is working from the bottom.
Witt connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Witt trying to control but Rossi is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rossi working for a triangle but Witt defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rossi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Witt trying to control the position from guard on top but Rossi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Witt is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Witt wants to control from the top but Rossi keeps moving.
Witt works over Rossi with some ground and pound from guard.

Rossi working for a triangle but Witt defends it easily.
Witt is in close to Rossi's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witt keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rossi's head.

Rossi is looking for a triangle but Witt pushes his legs off easily.
Witt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rossi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Witt chips away with some ground and pound.
Witt looking to sit in guard and control but Rossi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Witt can't keep his opponent in guard - Rossi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Rossi is trying to control the action in half guard but Witt is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Witt makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Witt.
Witt throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Witt is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Witt is looking for a triangle but Rossi pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Witt shoots in for a takedown but Rossi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rossi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Witt throws a hook but Rossi avoids it easily.
Rossi scores with a jab to the jaw.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Witt enables Rossi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Witt manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Rossi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rossi won't allow Witt to sweep him here.
Witt is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rossi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Witt swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Witt working for a triangle but Rossi defends it easily.
Rossi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Witt is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Rossi gets back to full guard.
Witt postures up.

Rossi throws his legs up looking for a submission but Witt uses it to pass to side control.
Witt trying to control the action but Rossi is working from the bottom.
Rossi takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Rossi is not content to let Witt control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witt landing a few strikes.

Witt is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rossi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rossi gets back to half guard.
Rossi tries to roll over but Witt keeps him under control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Witt connects with a nice short shot to Rossi's temple.
Rossi tries to roll over but Witt keeps him under control.
Witt lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Witt scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Rossi looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witt throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rossi trying to control but Witt postures up.

Rossi looking for submissions off his back.
Witt is trying to control. Rossi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rossi is looking for a sweep. Witt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Rossi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Witt pulls his head out easily.

Witt is working for a submission of some sort.

Rossi looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossi is looking to improve his position.
Witt trying to control the pace.

Witt is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rossi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rossi gets back to full guard.

Rossi looking for subs off his back but Witt has passed one foot through into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rossi tries to roll over but Witt keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aaron Witt will probably get the nod.
That's time! Witt's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rossi stuffs the takedown.
Witt tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rossi swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rossi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Witt trying to control from the bottom.
Rossi wants to free his trapped foot but Witt is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Witt is trying to get back to full guard.
Rossi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Rossi is trying to work for a kimura but Witt is defending well.
Witt is looking to control Rossi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Witt avoid being mounted?
Rossi is looking to take a break and control but Witt is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rossi is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Witt moves into full guard.
Rossi looking to sit in guard and control but Witt gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rossi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Witt is aware though and is defending well.

Rossi looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Witt passes into half guard.

Rossi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rossi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Witt scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Witt lands a nice short elbow.
Rossi is trying to get back to full guard.

Rossi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Witt trying to mount his opponent but Rossi defends it.
Witt winds up and cracks Rossi with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Witt connects with a nice short shot to Rossi's temple.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Witt lands a nice short elbow.
Witt takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Witt working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Witt wants to control but Rossi is keeping him busy.
Rossi misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Rossi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossi gets full guard.

Witt got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rossi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Witt has managed to get both his arms back between Rossi's legs - danger averted.
Witt stands up over Rossi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Witt content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Witt works over Rossi with some ground and pound from guard.
Rossi trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Rossi throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Witt escapes and throws Rossi's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Witt works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Witt working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Witt has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Witt in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Witt looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossi takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Witt raining down shots from the mount!
Witt lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Rossi hang on?
Rossi is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rossi tries to hold on but Witt postures up.
Rossi sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Rossi looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Witt slips a nice elbow through Rossi's hands, connecting with Rossi's forehead.
Rossi is looking for a sweep. Witt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Witt clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Witt closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Witt lands in his opponent's guard.

Rossi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Witt can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Witt wants to control from the top but Rossi keeps moving.

Rossi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Witt defends it easily.

Rossi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rossi has momentary wrist control but Witt slips an elbow through the middle.
Witt landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Witt working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rossi's head.
Witt works over Rossi with some ground and pound from guard.
Witt scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rossi keeping moving, preventing Witt from controlling successfully.
Rossi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Witt is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Witt avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rossi keeping moving, preventing Witt from controlling successfully.
Witt postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Witt trying to control but Rossi is working from the bottom.
Witt pushing down on Rossi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rossi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Witt landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ground and pound from Witt.
Aaron Witt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Witt lands a nice short elbow.
Witt keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Witt working over Rossi with some ground and pound. Rossi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rossi has a hand on Witt's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Witt takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Witt avoids the attempt from Rossi to control.
Witt is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rossi can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Rossi taking shots to the head.
Witt unloading with bombs!
BOOM! Witt connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Rossi is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witt breaks from Rossi's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Rossi is still in real trouble! Can Witt finish him?
Rossi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rossi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Rossi seems to have recovered his senses.
Rossi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Witt dominating with strikes here.
Witt landing shots from mount.
Witt landing strikes from the mount.
Rossi wants to hold on but Witt pushes him away.
Witt breaks from Rossi's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Rossi is desperately trying to improve his position but Witt has a good base and remains in mount.
Witt cracks Rossi with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Witt postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Rossi badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Witt around the waist but Witt pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Witt is the winner by TKO! Witt jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Aaron Witt!
Aaron Witt retains his featherweight title!
Aaron Witt took some time post fight to say the following; 'I am the greatest glad to see everyone knows that'.