PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roy Strahle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Werben (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.

Strahle
vs
Werben

182 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roy Strahle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Werben!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strahle swats away the attempt to clinch by Werben.
Werben tries to clinch up

and Strahle counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Strahle.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Werben is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Strahle stands up from Werben's guard - Strahle perhaps looking for a knockout.
Strahle tries to land a front kick but Werben steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Strahle misses with a head kick.
Werben throws a left and a right that both miss

and Strahle counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Werben is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Werben really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Strahle. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strahle throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Strahle decides to stand back up. Strahle steps back and let's Werben get back to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Werben looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Strahle pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Strahle misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Strahle closes the distance and clinches up with Werben, looking for a takedown. Strahle pushes Werben against the cage but Werben circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Strahle fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Werben, pushing him back against the cage.
Strahle wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Werben stalling the fight.
Strahle avoiding damage as Werben throws knees to the body.
Strahle has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Werben avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Strahle is looking to break free of the clinch but Werben has double underhooks.
Come on Werben - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Strahle manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Werben tries to clinch up.
Werben tries to clinch but Strahle moves out of range.
Werben moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Werben tries to clinch up.

Werben clinches up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Werben lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Werben lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Werben landing knees to the head.
Werben misses with an elbow strike.
Strahle throws a knee to the head but misses.
Strahle is breathing heavily.
Werben scores with a knee to the head.
Werben looking to throw knees to the head but Strahle is blocking nicely.
Werben stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strahle throws a punch but it's blocked by Werben.
Strahle is working for takedown but Werben is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roy Strahle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strahle has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Werben avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Werben breaks the clinch.
Werben looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Werben rushes Strahle and presses him up against the cage.
Werben displaying some good clinch control by pressing Strahle up against the cage.
Werben tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Werben creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Werben's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Strahle tries to circle away but Werben has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strahle is working for takedown but Werben is calmly controlling the position for now.
Werben lands a good knee to the midsection. Strahle won't want to take too many of those.
Werben misses with a knee strike.
Strahle is trying to drag Werben to the mat but Werben just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Knees to the body from Werben.
Werben lands an elbow just above Strahle 's eye.
Werben manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Werben crunches a lovely knee into Strahle's ribcage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Werben lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
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 Roy Strahle will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Werben tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Strahle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Werben tries to clinch but Strahle moves away
and Strahle counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Strahle throws a nice looking combination but Werben bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Werben throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Strahle closes the distance and pushes Werben back into the cage.
Strahle looking for a takedown.
Strahle wants to stall.
Werben lands a damaging elbow.
Werben just leaning against Strahle, taking a breather.
Werben using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Werben displaying some good clinch control by pressing Strahle up against the cage.
Werben tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Werben unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Strahle is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Werben gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Werben has Strahle pressed against the cage, preventing Strahle from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Strahle is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roy Strahle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Werben connects with a nasty looking knee right to Strahle's face.
Werben throws a knee to the head but misses.
Werben scores with a hook to the body.
Werben with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Werben breaks from the clinch.
Werben tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Strahle paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Werben tries to close the distance and clinch up but Strahle swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Strahle moves into range and clinches up with Werben.
Werben lands a nice uppercut.
Werben lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Werben with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Werben obliges.
Werben lands a damaging elbow.
Werben landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Werben with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Werben lands an elbow inside.
Werben putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Strahle in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Werben utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
John Werben seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Werben.
Werben is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Strahle is defending well for now.
Werben tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Werben with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Strahle breaks from the clinch.
Strahle keeps the fight on the outside.
Strahle throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Werben's waist but Werben gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Strahle off to one side.
Werben tries to clinch up.

Werben clinches up against the cage.
Werben throws a knee to the head but misses.
Werben landing knees to the body.
Werben lands a nice elbow.
A short uppercut from Werben.
Come on Werben - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Werben tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Strahle avoids it.
Strahle trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Werben lands an elbow that stopped Strahle in his tracks for a moment.

Werben breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Werben tries to clinch but Strahle moves out of range.
Roy Strahle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Werben lands with a nice combination. Strahle backs away looking to recover.
Werben pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Werben moves in looking to clinch but Strahle pushes him off.
Strahle with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Strahle fails with a takedown attempt.
Werben tries to clinch up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Werben tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
John Werben seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Werben clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Werben showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Strahle darts in and clinches Werben up against the cage.
Strahle fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Strahle trying to land knees to the body.
Strahle dodges an elbow strike from Werben.
Werben lands a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Werben.
Werben crunches a lovely knee into Strahle's ribcage.
Werben putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Strahle in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Werben will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Strahle up against the cage.
Strahle jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Werben walks away with a smile on his face. Strahle gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Strahle circles away from the clinch attempt.
Strahle tries to score a power double leg takedown but Werben sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Strahle somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roy Strahle. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Werben is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Werben tries to clinch up.
Werben tries to clinch up.
Strahle throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Werben's waist but Werben gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Strahle off to one side.

Werben gets a clinch.
Nice elbow from Werben.
The referee is keeping an eye on Werben - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Werben creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Strahle's defenses.
Werben content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Werben digs a right hand underneath Strahle's ribcage. Strahle let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Werben avoiding damage.
Werben has Strahle pressed against the cage, preventing Strahle from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Werben comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Werben stalling against the cage.
Werben misses with an elbow strike.
Werben scores a nice knee to the body.
Werben has Strahle pushed against the cage.
Werben lands with a right to the head.
Strahle is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Strahle tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Werben smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Werben doesn't manage to clinch there - Strahle circles away.
Werben moves in looking to clinch but Strahle pushes him off.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Strahle is defended easily by Werben.
Werben moves in looking to clinch but Strahle pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Werben looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Werben tries to close the distance and clinch up but Strahle swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Werben instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Werben comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Werben lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Strahle's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Werben throws a series of punches but Strahle avoids them all with ease.

Werben closes the distance and clinches.
Werben tries a knee to the head but Strahle blocks it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Werben.
Strahle jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Werben walks away with a smile on his face. Strahle gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Werben moves into the clinch.
Strahle stalling in the clinch but Werben improves position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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

Werben closes the distance and clinches.
Strahle wants a takedown.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Werben landing knees to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Werben comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Werben 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Werben!