PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Ulpius Traianus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Rook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rook has chosen Mr Krinkle 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.

Ulpius Traianus
vs
Rook

194 cm
37
273 lbs
31 - 14 - 0

195 cm
34
285 lbs
23 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcus Ulpius Traianus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yuri Rook!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Andrew Berry and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rook shoots in for a takedown but Traianus shows good takedown defense.
Rook goes for a double leg but Traianus avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Traianus continues to drive forward.
Traianus swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Traianus swings wildly with an uppercut but Rook uses good head movement to avoid it.
Traianus struggles to land a body shot inside as Rook controls his hands.
Traianus struggles to land a body shot inside as Rook controls his hands.
Traianus has a couple of punches blocked by Rook.
Traianus misses with some punches.
Traianus misses with a body punch.
Traianus working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Traianus lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rook.
Traianus doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rook is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Traianus doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Traianus misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rook lands an uppercut.

Rook breaks the clinch.

Rook decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Rook missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Rook is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Traianus is just riding it out for now. Rook eventually gives up the hold.

Rook is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Traianus sees it coming and defends easily.

Traianus makes his way to full guard, as Rook worked for a kimura.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rook trying to control but Traianus is working from the bottom.

Rook drops back looking for a leg! Traianus is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Traianus manages to kick Rook off! Rook jumps back into Traianus's guard.
Rook is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Traianus wants to stand and escape but Rook is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rook is looking to work some ground and pound but Traianus has wrist control.
Traianus keeping moving, preventing Rook from controlling successfully.
Rook cracks Traianus with a solid left hand.

It looks like Marcus Ulpius Traianus has been cut.
Traianus is breathing heavily.
Rook landing some decent shots from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rook thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rook throws a big elbow that misses.
Traianus is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rook wants to control from the top but Traianus keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rook throwing strikes from guard but Traianus blocks nicely.
Rook postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rook is stalling in the full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rook trying to control the position from guard on top but Traianus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rook slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rook scores with a couple of short elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Rook dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Marcus Ulpius Traianus's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Traianus keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Traianus stuffs the takedown attempt from Rook. Rook gets slowly back to his feet.
Rook avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rook tries to score a power double leg takedown but Traianus sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rook somewhat.
Marcus Ulpius Traianus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Rook.
Rook has his takedown stuffed
and Traianus counters with a nice body shot.
Yuri Rook seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rook shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Traianus sprawls well. Traianus wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rook gets slowly back to his feet.
Rook fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Traianus avoids it really well and circles away.
Rook looks for a takedown but Traianus sprawls well.
Marcus Ulpius Traianus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rook has a takedown stuffed.
Traianus stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Traianus wants it to stay on the feet.

Rook is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Traianus's half guard.
Traianus pushes Rook off looking to stand but Rook dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rook looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Rook is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rook thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Rook is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Rook wants to work for an arm triangle but Traianus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rook is looking to advance position but Traianus won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rook is working for a kimura but Traianus is defending it quite comfortably.

Rook is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Traianus doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rook.
Rook lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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. Rook connects with a nice short shot to Traianus's temple.
Rook is pressing down on Traianus's thigh, looking to free his foot. Traianus is holding on for now.

Rook is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Traianus is just riding it out for now. Rook eventually gives up the hold.

Rook is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Rook showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Marcus Ulpius Traianus's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rook is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Traianus's half guard.
Rook wants to lay and pray for a moment but Traianus keeps working.
Rook is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Traianus!
Yuri Rook has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rook controlling his opponent.
Rook tries to control but Traianus wriggling away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rook in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Rook looking for a guillotine from mount but Traianus is having none of it.

Rook looking to isolate an arm here. Traianus doesn't see it coming and as Rook extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Rook!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Yuri Rook!
Yuri Rook seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.