PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Manuel Neuer (ranked 682 p4p, 94 weight class) and Roy Roach (ranked 1800 p4p, 226 weight class). Roach is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Jump Around, House of Pain. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Neuer
vs
Roach

199 cm
22
195 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

183 cm
23
193 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Big Chief Nutrition & Laundry Services (80%)
Urban Fighter

Hot Spunk

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 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Manuel Neuer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Roy Roach!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Glass and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roach will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Neuer has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Neuer takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Neuer doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Roach counters with a two punch combo.
A slow jab from Roach misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roach throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Neuer counters with a single leg into guard. Roach didn't expect that.
Neuer tries to free his leg and advance position but Roach is retaining full guard.
Roach is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Neuer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neuer looking to pass the guard.
Neuer advances to half guard.
Roach felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Roach makes his way to full guard, as Neuer worked for a kimura.
Neuer throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Neuer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Neuer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Roach works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Neuer will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Neuer passes into half guard.

Roach looking for submissions off his back.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Roach can do anything to dispel that myth.
Neuer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neuer is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Roach is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Manuel Neuer!