PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tanner Rojas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darien Scotland (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.

Rojas
vs
Scotland

210 cm
20
214 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tanner Rojas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Darien Scotland!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Taro Takaoka and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rojas tries to clinch up but Scotland circles away and keeps his distance.

Scotland has closed the distance and engaged Rojas in a clinch.
Rojas looking to slow down the pace here.

Scotland manages to break the clinch.

Scotland gets a double leg takedown into Rojas's guard.
Rojas is pulling down on Scotland's head. It's preventing any offense from Scotland, at least for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Scotland loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rojas trying to control the position here.
Scotland wants to control from the top but Rojas keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas is pulling down on Scotland's head. It's preventing any offense from Scotland, at least for the moment.
Rojas trying to control the position.
Rojas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Rojas has his feet on Scotland's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Rojas doesn't manage to clinch there - Scotland circles away.
Scotland showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rojas.
Rojas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Scotland paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rojas cracks Scotland with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rojas displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Scotland darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rojas trying to control here.
Scotland really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rojas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Scotland is keen to just control but Rojas is a slippery customer.
Rojas really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Scotland keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Rojas moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas trying to strike off his back.
Scotland slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Rojas.
Rojas keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
It looks like Scotland is going to stand back up.
Scotland wants to pass the guard but Rojas is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rojas trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Scotland wants to free his trapped foot but Rojas is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Rojas actively working from the bottom here.
Rojas is not content to let Scotland control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Darien Scotland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rojas tries to close the distance and clinch but Scotland swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Scotland darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Scotland trying to control from Rojas's half guard. Rojas has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darien Scotland dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rojas works the jab nicely.
Tanner Rojas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rojas tries to sprawl but Scotland drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Scotland not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rojas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Scotland is working away from the top position though.
Scotland trying to control the action but Rojas is working from the bottom.
Scotland prevents Rojas from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scotland seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rojas does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Rojas actively working from the bottom here.
Scotland has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scotland trying to mount his opponent but Rojas defends it.
Rojas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Scotland is working away from the top position though.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rojas manages to get to full guard.
Rojas seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rojas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Scotland.

Scotland shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rojas napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rojas wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Scotland decides to stand back up.
Rojas wants to clinch.
Scotland blocks a head kick by Rojas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rojas tries to sprawl but Scotland drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Scotland moves into full mount! Rojas won't be happy about that!
Scotland sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Scotland get's back to his feet.

Scotland drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rojas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Scotland is one step ahead there.
Rojas looking to control but Scotland passes into half guard.
Scotland not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scotland is stalling here. Rojas is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Scotland seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Rojas has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Rojas working away.
Scotland is looking for a sweep.
Scotland wants to control but Rojas postures up.
Rojas in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Scotland tries to buck Rojas off but Rojas is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darien Scotland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rojas scores with a one two! Scotland had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rojas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Scotland connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Scotland shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rojas is trying to defend but Scotland finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rojas trying to control here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scotland missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Rojas manages to escape and get back to his feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Scotland shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rojas's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas pulls Scotland in close to prevent any damage.
Scotland throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rojas pulls Scotland in close to his closed guard and prevents Scotland from doing any damage or advancing position.
Rojas keeping moving, preventing Scotland from controlling successfully.
Scotland throws a strike but Rojas rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rojas is looking to stand up but Scotland won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Scotland has his foot on Rojas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rojas works his way back into a safe position though.
Scotland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rojas throws a strike but Scotland rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rojas working for a triangle but Scotland defends it easily.
Rojas is pulling down on Scotland's head to control his posture.
Rojas keeping moving, preventing Scotland from controlling successfully.
Scotland might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rojas haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Scotland is controlling him.
Rojas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Scotland trying to control the position from guard on top but Rojas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rojas misses with a right hand

and Scotland counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Scotland can't break the clinch.

Scotland decides to pull guard.

Rojas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rojas works over Scotland with some ground and pound from guard.
Scotland is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rojas is controlling him.
Rojas has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Scotland is proving hard to escape from.
Tanner Rojas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Darien Scotland is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Scotland is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darien Scotland comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Scotland winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darien Scotland!