PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Bartholomew Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Stricker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stricker is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Slim Jesus - Drill Time. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Roberts
vs
Stricker

194 cm
30
291 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

199 cm
27
239 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bartholomew Roberts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Stricker!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Nard Betker and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roberts blocks a low kick nicely.
It looked like Roberts was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stricker jabs at Roberts's body.
Roberts blocks a jab.
Roberts throws a big counter combination but Stricker scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nice shot lands for Stricker.
Stricker is looking to score with low kicks.
Roberts misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stricker throws a body shot but no joy.
Stricker uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Roberts.
Roberts misses with a series of wild punches.
Stricker has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Roberts is landing a low percentage of strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stricker misses with a low kick as Roberts jumps back.
Stricker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Roberts sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Roberts slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

It looks like Steve Stricker has been cut.
Roberts tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Despite the aggression on Stricker's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Stricker scores with a sloppy right hand. Roberts should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stricker chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Roberts pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stricker fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Roberts blocks a low kick nicely.
Roberts is looking to counter punch.
Roberts blocks a low kick nicely.
Roberts pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice shot lands for Stricker.
Stricker connects with a good right hand that stumbles Roberts. Roberts circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Roberts throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stricker.
Stricker lands a nice looking body kick.
Roberts walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Stricker scores with a push kick.
Stricker connects with a leg kick. Roberts looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roberts walks into a straight right hand from Stricker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roberts misses with a hook
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Stricker lands the left hand.
Stricker throws a hook but Roberts blocks it.
Stricker lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Stricker blocks a head kick by Roberts.
Stricker lands with a slapping head kick.
A punch lands to the side of Roberts 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Roberts moves out of range of the body kick from Stricker.
Stricker slips a jab and a cross from Roberts.
Stricker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stricker.
Nice shot lands for Stricker.
Stricker is looking to slow Roberts down with leg kicks.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stricker tries to land a front kick but Roberts steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Stricker dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Stricker's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A kick lands to the mid section there for Stricker.
Stricker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The fighters circling - Roberts throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice jab there from Stricker.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stricker. Roberts does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stricker misses with a series of wild punches.
Roberts misses with a head kick.
Stricker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Roberts throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stricker feints a counter leg kick.
Roberts looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A good leg kick by Stricker.
Steve Stricker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stricker scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A decent looking cross lands there for Stricker.
Roberts takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Steve Stricker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Roberts tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stricker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Stricker!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Roberts checks a leg kick.
Stricker throws a hook but Roberts avoids it easily.
Roberts misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stricker wants to counter with a clinch but Roberts pushes him away.
Stricker is looking to score with low kicks.
Roberts is looking to counter punch.
Nice body punch from Stricker.
Stricker throws a looping overhand right but Roberts ducks down to avoid it.
Roberts throws a head kick that misses
letting Stricker counter with a right hand.
Stricker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Roberts avoids the head kick by Stricker.
Roberts moves out of range as Stricker strikes.
No joy there for Roberts, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roberts tries a head kick but it misses.
Stricker lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donk. Stricker catches Roberts right on the button with a cross.
A head kick misses from Roberts.
Stricker wants to counter with a clinch but Roberts pushes him away.
Stricker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Roberts misses the jab.
Stricker fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Roberts.
Stricker feints and then cracks Roberts's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Roberts down.
Roberts is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Stricker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Roberts sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Roberts went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Stricker looks to land a left hand but Roberts moved out of range nicely.
A left lands for Stricker.
Roberts tries a head kick but it misses.
Bartholomew Roberts is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Roberts throws a hook but Stricker avoids it easily.
Roberts missing with a left hand there. Stricker was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Stricker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Steve Stricker's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Stricker lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Roberts moves away from the strike by Stricker.
Stricker scores with a jab to the body.
Stricker throws a head kick but Roberts moves out of range.
Roberts takes one on the button.
Stricker scores with a jab to the body.
Stricker jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Roberts pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stricker with a hook.
Stricker throws a low kick but it's checked well by Roberts.
As Stricker tries to get set, Roberts tries to push him back and clinch up but Stricker manages to avoid the attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roberts on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Stricker moves out of range of the body kick from Roberts.
A big right from Stricker misses.
Roberts comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stricker throws a sloppy head kick and Roberts moves out of range easily.
Stricker scores with a hook to the body. Roberts takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Roberts misses with a leg kick
and Stricker counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Roberts misses with a body kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Stricker misses.
Stricker scores with a shot to the body.
Stricker throws a leg kick but Roberts sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Stricker buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Stricker throws a body punch but Roberts moves out of range.
Stricker avoids the body shot from Roberts.
Stricker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stricker pushes Roberts away with a front kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stricker.
Roberts looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Roberts tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stricker throws a hook but Roberts blocks it.
Roberts moves forwards but Stricker connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Stricker just misses with a punch to the body.
Stricker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stricker looks to land a body kick but Roberts moved away.
Stricker lands a nice shot that snaps Roberts's head back.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Stricker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Roberts looks to throw the jab but Stricker is out of range.
Stricker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Roberts.
Roberts on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Stricker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Stricker really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Stricker's cut.
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.

Stricker connects with an inside leg kick.
Roberts throws a head kick that misses.
Stricker connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stricker throws a head kick but Roberts moves out of range.
Stricker tries a low kick but Roberts avoids it.
Roberts throws a head kick that misses.
Stricker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A thudding body kick lands there by Stricker!
Roberts takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stricker scores with a hook to the body. Roberts takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Roberts wants to clinch.
Stricker scores with a crisp jab that stopped Roberts in his tracks.
Roberts will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts slips a straight right by Stricker.
Roberts is looking for a counter combo.
Stricker cracks the inside of Roberts's front leg.
Roberts tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stricker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stricker is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Roberts is looking to clinch but Stricker is avoiding it.
Stricker misses with a head kick.
Roberts thinks about countering with a head kick.
Roberts looks to throw the jab but Stricker is out of range.
Stricker lands with a thumping leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stricker.
Stricker chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Stricker throws a head kick that misses.
Roberts doesn't manage to clinch there - Stricker circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roberts takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Stricker lands with a thumping leg kick.
Stricker works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Stricker scoring well with a low kick there.
A big right from Stricker misses.
A big left from Stricker misses.

Roberts gets a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short uppercut from Roberts.
Roberts misses with a short punch on the inside.

Stricker breaks from the clinch.
Stricker fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Roberts.
A head kick misses from Stricker.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Stricker dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Steve Stricker's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Roberts throws a leg kick that misses.
Stricker looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Roberts throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Roberts fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bartholomew Roberts has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roberts tries to clinch up.
A head kick misses from Stricker.
A little feinted left hand from Roberts on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Roberts throws a series of punches but Stricker moves out of range.
Roberts swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Stricker counters with a head kick.
Good leg kick by Stricker there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Donk. Stricker catches Roberts right on the button with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roberts has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Stricker finds it's way round the side to connect with Roberts's head.
A punch combination from Roberts misses.
Roberts moves in looking to clinch but Stricker pushes him off.
Stricker takes a swing at Roberts's ribcage but misses.
Roberts slips a jab and a cross from Stricker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stricker.
Stricker throws a body kick that misses.
Roberts takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Roberts fails in his attempt to clinch.
Roberts misses with a body shot.
Stricker wants to counter with a clinch but Roberts pushes him away.
Stricker throws a right and a left that Roberts avoids nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stricker.
Stricker throws a push kick but Roberts slaps the foot to one side.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Roberts tries a knee to the head but Stricker blocks it.
Roberts misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roberts looking to throw knees to the head but Stricker is blocking nicely.
Roberts lands a good knee to the midsection. Stricker won't want to take too many of those.
Roberts throws an elbow but it misses.
Roberts with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Roberts tries to throw a body punch but Stricker avoids it by throwing Roberts back against the ropes.
Roberts missing with knees to the body.
Roberts lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stricker.
Roberts connects with a nasty looking knee right to Stricker's face.
Stricker is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Roberts tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Roberts misses with an elbow strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Roberts throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bartholomew Roberts.
I think Stricker 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 45:50
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 46:49
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Stricker!
Steve Stricker thanked the fans post fight for their support.