PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hannibal Rose (ranked 4193 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mihai Viteazul (ranked 6231 p4p, 0 weight class). Viteazul has chosen Capul lui Mihai Viteazul as his entrance music. Hannibal Rose has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rose
vs
Viteazul

196 cm
29
195 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
195 lbs
11 - 12 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hannibal Rose!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mihai Viteazul!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Viteazul closes the distance and pushes Rose back into the cage.
Viteazul can't get the takedown.
Viteazul looking for a takedown.
Rose throws a head punch that misses.
Viteazul drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rose pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hannibal Rose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mihai Viteazul.

Rose clinches up with Viteazul and pushes him back against the cage.
Rose tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Viteazul is trying to trip Rose. He has hold of a leg but Rose is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Viteazul persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Viteazul looking to sit in guard and control but Rose gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rose sitting in guard here, content to control.
Viteazul wants to stand and escape but Rose is having none of it.
Viteazul can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rose controls the pace.
Rose looking to sit in guard and control but Viteazul gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viteazul works over Rose with some ground and pound from guard.
Viteazul loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Viteazul throws a big right hand that misses.

Viteazul has gone for a leg lock! Rose slips out almost immediately though and dives into Viteazul's guard.

Rose stops Viteazul from standing up.
Rose looking to pass the guard.
Rose is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rose prevents Viteazul from getting back to his feet.
Rose stays in close to Viteazul's body and controls the position.
Rose trying to control but Viteazul is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rose is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viteazul fails in his attempt to clinch.

Viteazul rushes Rose and presses him up against the cage.
Viteazul goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rose prevents it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rose.

Viteazul has picked Rose up - he's going for a ride! Viteazul dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Rose manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Viteazul keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Viteazul tries to score a body lock takedown but Rose shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rose scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Viteazul has clasped his hands together around Rose's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Viteazul fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Viteazul tries to score with some ground and pound. Rose controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Viteazul working the strikes but Rose uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Viteazul lands with a punch from half guard.

Viteazul is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rose is controlling Viteazul's trapped leg to prevent Viteazul from advancing to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viteazul thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rose's head.
Rose is in trouble now - Viteazul has advanced to mount!
Viteazul throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Viteazul thowing shots but they're missing.
Viteazul is landing with some decent strikes but Rose is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Viteazul lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Rose really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
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 Hannibal Rose will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Viteazul clinches up with Rose and pushes him back against the cage.
Rose has a couple of punches blocked by Viteazul.

Viteazul has hold of one of Rose's legs. Rose is fighting the takedown attempt but Viteazul gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Viteazul throws a big right hand that misses.
Viteazul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rose will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Viteazul looking to pass the guard.
Viteazul is looking to work some ground and pound but Rose has wrist control.
Viteazul wants to pass the guard but Rose is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Viteazul with a nice head shot there.

It looks like Hannibal Rose has been cut.
Viteazul postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Viteazul makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viteazul is looking to pass into half guard but Rose pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Rose is in guard.

Rose content to stall in guard here.
Rose prevents Viteazul from getting back to his feet.
Rose has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Viteazul is proving hard to escape from.
Rose engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Rose continues to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rose wants to control from the top but Viteazul keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Viteazul drives through and clinches with Rose against the cage.
Viteazul blocks an uppercut.
Viteazul is looking for a takedown.
Viteazul tries for a takedown. No joy.
Viteazul has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rose avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hannibal Rose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mihai Viteazul.
Rose tries a body shot but Viteazul blocks it.
Viteazul is looking to take this one to the mat.
Viteazul drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rose gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rose misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rose creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Viteazul has Rose pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Viteazul pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Rose tumbling to the mat - Viteazul dives into Rose's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Rose manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Rose lands an uppercut.
Viteazul is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rose pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Viteazul is trying to drag Rose to the mat but Rose just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rose misses with a punch on the inside.
Viteazul tries to score a body lock takedown but Rose shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Viteazul blocks an uppercut.
Viteazul tries for a takedown but Rose manages to get underhooks.
Viteazul prevents a body shot from Rose.
Viteazul drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rose gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rose fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Viteazul goes for a takedown attempt but Rose pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viteazul tries to close the distance and clinch but Rose swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rose lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Viteazul tries to clinch but Rose is having none of it.

Viteazul gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Viteazul drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Viteazul is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rose gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Viteazul is breathing heavily.
Viteazul blocking some punches.
Rose tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Viteazul drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rose prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rose swings wildly with an uppercut but Viteazul uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rose throws a punch but it's blocked by Viteazul.

Viteazul has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Rose is trying to keep an underhook but Viteazul manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Rose manages to escape and get back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannibal Rose dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Hannibal Rose's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rose throws a right and a left that both miss.

Viteazul clinches with his opponent.

Viteazul works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Viteazul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Viteazul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rose working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Viteazul.
Viteazul postures up in Rose's guard and throws a big left but Rose blocks it.
Viteazul with a flurry of punches that miss.
Viteazul working some strikes from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Viteazul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Viteazul advances to half guard.
Viteazul missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Viteazul seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viteazul not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Viteazul is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rose doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Viteazul.
Viteazul scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Viteazul lands a nice short elbow.
Viteazul not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Viteazul thows a huge punch but Rose dodges it nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Viteazul gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Viteazul wants a takedown.
Rose swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Viteazul.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rose.
Hannibal Rose has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Viteazul lands a takedown into guard.
Viteazul loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Viteazul throws a big right hand that misses.
Rose is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Viteazul is controlling him.
Viteazul postures up in Rose's guard and throws a big left but Rose blocks it.
Viteazul throws a big right hand that misses.
Viteazul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mihai Viteazul has got the better of the ground game so far.
Viteazul throws a big right hand that misses.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Viteazul has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viteazul pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rose is keeping the position for now.

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

Viteazul rushes Rose and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rose tries to throw a body punch but Viteazul avoids it by throwing Rose back against the cage.
Viteazul is looking to take this one to the mat.
Viteazul is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rose pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hannibal Rose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mihai Viteazul.
Viteazul blocks an uppercut.

Viteazul gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Hannibal Rose is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Viteazul missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Viteazul with the ground and pound but Rose uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Viteazul postures up in Rose's guard and throws a big left but Rose blocks it.
Viteazul throwing strikes but missing.
Viteazul throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viteazul postures up in Rose's guard and throws a big left but Rose blocks it.
Viteazul throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rose works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rose working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Viteazul.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Rose tries to keep at a distance but Viteazul has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rose stops a takedown attempt from Viteazul.
Viteazul is trying to drag Rose to the mat but Rose just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Viteazul wants a takedown.
Mihai Viteazul has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Viteazul struggles to land a body shot inside as Rose controls his hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mihai Viteazul comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rose 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Hannibal Rose!
A relieved looking Hannibal Rose thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.