PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Erick Rootmans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Musial Stanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rootmans comes into the arena with Busta Rhymes - Put your hands where my eyes can see blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Rootmans
vs
Stanson

190 cm
33
218 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

190 cm
27
204 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Erick Rootmans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Musial Stanson!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stanson dives in for a single leg takedown but Rootmans sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stanson darts in trying to clinch

and Rootmans counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stanson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Stanson trying to control the position here.
Rootmans with a nice head shot there.
Stanson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Stanson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stanson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rootmans has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rootmans working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stanson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rootmans is one step ahead there.
Stanson keeping moving, preventing Rootmans from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rootmans connects with a couple of short punches.
Stanson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rootmans.
Stanson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rootmans postures up and lands a big shot to Stanson's brow.
Rootmans with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rootmans throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stanson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rootmans controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rootmans postures up in Stanson's guard and throws a big left but Stanson blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Stanson wants to sweep but no luck.
Stanson trying to control the position.
Stanson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rootmans.
Rootmans makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Stanson managing to control the position.
Rootmans wants to control from the top but Stanson keeps moving.
Rootmans is working Stanson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Stanson working a defensive guard here.
Rootmans working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Stanson's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rootmans lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rootmans working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rootmans wants to pass the guard but Stanson is keeping the position.
Stanson has his hands on Rootmans's head, controlling the position.

Rootmans got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stanson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rootmans has managed to get both his arms back between Stanson's legs - danger averted.
Stanson is trying to control the position but Rootmans postures up.
Rootmans with a nice head shot there.
Stanson has momentary wrist control but Rootmans slips an elbow through the middle.
Rootmans working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanson controlling Rootmans's posture.
Rootmans lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rootmans lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rootmans loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rootmans stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stanson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rootmans scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rootmans cracks Stanson with a solid left hand.

Rootmans stands and steps away. Stanson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stanson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rootmans's waist but Rootmans gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stanson off to one side.
Stanson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rootmans is fending him off so far but Stanson persists. Nope, Rootmans circles away and we're back to standing.
Erick Rootmans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Musial Stanson.

Rootmans gets tackled into the cage by Stanson. Stanson maintains the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rootmans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stanson blocks it with crossed arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Rootmans dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rootmans misses with a wild combination.
Stanson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rootmans changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Stanson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Stanson fails to pull guard.
Stanson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rootmans landing knees to the body.

Stanson ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Stanson no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Rootmans working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rootmans scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rootmans trying to control but Stanson is working from the bottom.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Stanson manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Rootmans prevents the takedown attempt.
Rootmans putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Stanson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stanson wants to take the fight to the mat but Rootmans manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Erick Rootmans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Musial Stanson.
Rootmans using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stanson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rootmans lands a nice knee to the body.
Stanson is breathing heavily.
Rootmans crunches a lovely knee into Stanson's ribcage.
Rootmans tries for a takedown but Stanson manages to get underhooks.
Stanson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rootmans's elbow.

Rootmans gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Stanson has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Rootmans is on him like a limpet, forcing Stanson back against the cage.
Rootmans is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stanson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rootmans connects with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rootmans connects with a nasty looking knee right to Stanson's face.
Rootmans throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rootmans misses with a knee strike.
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but Stanson blocks it.
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but Stanson blocks it.
A short left from Stanson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanson stops a takedown attempt from Rootmans.
Rootmans lands a good knee to the midsection. Stanson won't want to take too many of those.
Stanson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stanson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rootmans walks away with a smile on his face. Stanson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Stanson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rootmans defends it nicely.
Rootmans lands with a thumping leg kick.
Stanson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Stanson fails to land the takedown.
Rootmans looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Rootmans misses with a two punch combination.
Erick Rootmans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rootmans fails with the takedown.
A little jabbing left from Stanson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Stanson gets caught flat footed, as Rootmans shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans trying to control but Stanson is working from the bottom.
Rootmans keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Stanson's head.
Rootmans is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Stanson pulls Rootmans in close to prevent any damage.
Rootmans slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rootmans trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rootmans postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rootmans landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans trying to control but Stanson is working from the bottom.
Rootmans won't allow Stanson to sweep him here.
Rootmans postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Erick Rootmans overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rootmans throwing strikes from guard but Stanson blocks nicely.
Stanson is trying to control the position but Rootmans postures up.
Stanson pulls Rootmans in close to his closed guard and prevents Rootmans from doing any damage or advancing position.
Stanson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stanson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Rootmans dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Rootmans lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rootmans fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stanson manages to avoid it.
Stanson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rootmans tries to counter with a takedown but Stanson is quick to defend against it.
Rootmans is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stanson can do to turn this around?
Stanson tries to clinch but Rootmans is having none of it.
Rootmans will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rootmans pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rootmans keeps the fight on the outside.
As Stanson looks to move away, Rootmans throws a big counter combo bu Stanson just gets out of the way.

Stanson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rootmans tries to land knees in the clinch but Stanson avoids the damage to the body.
Stanson working aggressively here.
Stanson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stanson has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Rootmans seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Stanson can turn it around.
Rootmans tries to land knees in the clinch but Stanson avoids the damage to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rootmans looking to throw knees to the head but Stanson is blocking nicely.
Stanson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rootmans looking to throw knees to the head but Stanson is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rootmans wants to take the fight to the mat but Stanson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Rootmans scores a nice knee to the body.
Rootmans wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erick Rootmans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rootmans with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but Stanson blocks with his arms.
Erick Rootmans has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rootmans looking to throw knees to the head but Stanson is blocking nicely.
Stanson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A knee to the head by Rootmans.
Stanson misses with a hook from the clinch.

Stanson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rootmans connects with a leg kick. Stanson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rootmans throws a head kick that misses.
Rootmans lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rootmans darts in looking for a takedown but Stanson gets double underhooks and turns Rootmans into the cage.
Stanson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rootmans swinging wildly here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rootmans fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stanson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Rootmans feints and as Stanson raises his hands in defense, Rootmans changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stanson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stanson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rootmans manages to get himself to full guard.

Stanson stops Rootmans from standing up.
Stanson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stanson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stanson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rootmans is trying to keep Stanson in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Stanson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rootmans avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stanson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stanson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Stanson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rootmans is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Stanson is standing up over Rootmans. Rootmans looks to escape but Stanson dives into side control.

That's four 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.
Stanson working away.
Stanson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Stanson working away.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Stanson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rootmans paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rootmans attempts a counter takedown but Stanson avoids it well and moves away.
Rootmans swats away the attempt to clinch by Stanson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stanson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rootmans as he jumps to the side.
Rootmans lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Musial Stanson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stanson fails to land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erick Rootmans showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rootmans has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erick Rootmans!
A very excited looking Erick Rootmans rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.