PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Romano Schoots (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tad Ghostal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ghostal has chosen Good King Wenceslas as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Schoots
vs
Ghostal

180 cm
34
155 lbs
29 - 22 - 0

183 cm
34
145 lbs
32 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

The Big Kabosh

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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 29 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Romano Schoots!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tad Ghostal!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Donald Grub and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schoots misses with a leg kick
and Ghostal counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Schoots misses with a straight left.
Schoots shoots in and drives through. Ghostal sprawls well.
Ghostal throws a right and a left that Schoots avoids nicely.
Schoots's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ghostal connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Schoots scrambles back to his feet.
Ghostal thuds a left hand into Schoots's body.
Schoots's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ghostal connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Schoots scrambles back to his feet.
Ghostal connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Schoots fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ghostal lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ghostal displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Schoots throws out the jab.
Ghostal moves away from the strike by Schoots.
Schoots uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ghostal.
Schoots connects with a leg kick. Ghostal looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ghostal cracks a nice hook into Schoots's ribs.
Schoots tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ghostal swivels and escapes.
Schoots tries to clinch there but Ghostal circles away.
Ghostal stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Schoots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schoots throws a low kick but Ghostal moves out of range easily.
Schoots pushes Ghostal away with a front kick.
Romano Schoots seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schoots takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ghostal avoids a kick to the body.

Schoots pushes Ghostal up against the cage in a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Schoots misses with a hook from the clinch.
Schoots is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Ghostal misses with a body punch.
Schoots blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Come on Schoots - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Schoots blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ghostal is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Schoots trying to land knees to the body.
Ghostal lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Schoots prevents a body shot from Ghostal.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ghostal misses with a punch on the inside.
Ghostal swings wildly with an uppercut but Schoots uses good head movement to avoid it.
Schoots missing with knees to the body.
I was talking to Schoots's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Knees in the clinch landing for Schoots.
Schoots taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ghostal tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Schoots's elbow.
Ghostal trying to stall but Schoots improves his position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Schoots.
Schoots using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ghostal lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Schoots.
Ghostal swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Schoots.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ghostal.
Ghostal throws a punch but it's blocked by Schoots.
A nice left hand lands by Schoots.
Ghostal working aggressively here.
Schoots throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ghostal blocks it with crossed arms.
Ghostal misses with some punches.
Ghostal looking to stall.
Ghostal swings wildly with an uppercut but Schoots uses good head movement to avoid it.
Schoots manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal has a couple of punches blocked by Schoots.
Ghostal misses with a punch on the inside.
Ghostal has Schoots pressed against the cage.
Schoots gets through Ghostal's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ghostal tries a body shot but Schoots blocks it.
Ghostal misses with some punches.
Schoots blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ghostal on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ghostal slows down the pace here.
Ghostal throws a head punch that misses.
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 Romano Schoots 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.

Schoots throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ghostal makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Schoots looks to land a right hand but Ghostal moved out of range.
Schoots looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ghostal avoids the head kick by Schoots.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Schoots.
Schoots tries a low kick but Ghostal avoids it.
Schoots connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Schoots has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ghostal finds it's way round the side to connect with Schoots's head.
Ghostal lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Schoots at a distance.
Ghostal takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Schoots tries for a takedown but Ghostal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice body kick there by Ghostal.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ghostal is looking to slow Schoots down with leg kicks.
Ghostal connects with a solid leg kick.
Schoots takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Romano Schoots has been cut.
Schoots throws an off balance right hand
and Ghostal counters with a nice uppercut.
Ghostal drops his hands momentarily and Schoots takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghostal throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Schoots fails with the takedown
and Ghostal counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ghostal scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Schoots connects with a crisp jab.
Ghostal moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Ghostal looks to land a body kick but Schoots moved away.
Ghostal scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ghostal scores with a nice head shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ghostal.
Tad Ghostal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ghostal scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Schoots doesn't seem bothered though.
Schoots tries to clinch
and Ghostal connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Schoots misses with a body kick.

Schoots clinches up against the cage.
Ghostal has a couple of punches blocked by Schoots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Schoots has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ghostal is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Romano Schoots. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schoots trying to stall but Ghostal improves his position.
Schoots digs a right hand into Ghostal's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ghostal's gas tank.
Ghostal has a couple of punches blocked by Schoots.
Schoots misses with a body punch.
Schoots scores with a shoulder strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ghostal.
A short right from Ghostal.
Schoots misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ghostal.
Still in the clinch, Ghostal scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ghostal throws a head punch that misses.
Ghostal misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schoots misses with a punch on the inside.
Ghostal avoiding damage as Schoots throws knees to the body.
Schoots missing with knees to the body.
Ghostal swings wildly with an uppercut but Schoots uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ghostal blocks a body shot from Schoots.
Schoots trying to land knees to the body.
A short right from Schoots on the inside.
Ghostal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ghostal stalling.
Schoots lands with a light punch inside.
Ghostal misses with a punch on the inside.
Schoots blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ghostal tries to work over Schoots's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ghostal struggles to land a body shot inside as Schoots controls his hands.
Romano Schoots has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schoots blocks an uppercut.
The referee is keeping an eye on Schoots - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ghostal throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Schoots lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ghostal backwards.
Schoots tries to stall but Ghostal uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Schoots effectively controlling the action here.
Ghostal swings wildly with an uppercut but Schoots uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ghostal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ghostal lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Schoots landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Schoots putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ghostal in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
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 Romano Schoots will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Romano Schoots's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A big left from Schoots misses.
Schoots takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Schoots swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ghostal is looking to score with low kicks.
Ghostal defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Schoots.
Schoots swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Schoots shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Schoots chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Schoots misses with the combination.

Schoots takes the fight into the clinch.
Ghostal leaning against his opponent.
Schoots wants to stall.
Schoots blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schoots misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ghostal.
Schoots blocking some punches.
Schoots connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ghostal's face.

It looks like Tad Ghostal has been cut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ghostal.
Ghostal throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Schootss head.
Ghostal has a couple of punches blocked by Schoots.
Ghostal throws a head punch that misses.
Ghostal misses with the head strike.
Schoots prevents a body shot from Ghostal.
Schoots goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ghostal prevents it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Schoots.
Schoots blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Schoots with a knee to the head.
Tad Ghostal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schoots taking a breather.
Ghostal swings wildly with an uppercut but Schoots uses good head movement to avoid it.
Schoots lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ghostal being controlled against the cage.
Schoots wants to stall.
Ghostal tries a body shot but Schoots blocks it.
Schoots wants to stall.
Ghostal misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Ghostal.
A right hook to the body lands for Schoots.
Schoots blocks an uppercut.
Schoots takes a shot to the head.
Ghostal misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Schoots looking to throw knees to the head but Ghostal is blocking nicely.
Schoots looking to throw knees to the head but Ghostal is blocking nicely.
Ghostal struggles to land a body shot inside as Schoots controls his hands.
Schoots trying to land knees to the body.
Ghostal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ghostal taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ghostal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ghostal misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ghostal working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ghostal stalling.
Schoots trying to land knees to the body.
Ghostal misses with a short punch on the inside.
Schoots misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ghostal.
Schoots landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ghostal misses with the head strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Schoots obliges.
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!
Ghostal avoiding damage as Schoots throws knees to the body.
Schoots blocking some punches.
Ghostal scores with a shot to the side of Schoots's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Schoots prevents a body shot from Ghostal.
Ghostal on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ghostal swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ghostal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tad Ghostal.
I think Schoots has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Romano Schoots!
An out of breath Romano Schoots thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.