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by Play - Fighter's Fight Commentary
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Event:
BANZAI COMBAT 30
Date: May 11, 2024 |
#R1#
Calderon throws a body shot but no joy.
Rocha ducks under a wild hook from Calderon.
Calderon avoids the head kick by Rocha.
Rocha pivots, looking for a leg kick but Calderon is out of range and Rocha settles back down.
Calderon scores with a nice right hand.
The fighters circling - Calderon throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Calderon stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Calderon thuds a left hand into Rocha's body.
Rocha uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Calderon.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Calderon.#CUT#It looks like Bentley Rocha has been cut.
Calderon paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rocha is trying hard to land a takedown here. Calderon sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Calderon swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rocha avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Calderon connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe. #ROC#Rocha is rocked!
Calderon fires a straight punch through the middle that cracks Rocha square on the jaw! Damn, Rocha is out cold on his feet and topples face first to the canvas! Wow, I haven't seen a knockout that brutal in a long time!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Junior Calderon!
Junior Calderon retains his featherweight title! |
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Event:
BANZAI COMBAT 16
Date: Apr 06, 2024 |
#R1#
Lopes shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it. #TD#
Rocha drives through with a takedown into Lopes's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Rocha is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lopes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lopes can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rocha controls the pace.
Rocha has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rocha's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rocha engaging in some classic timewasting tactics. #T1#
Lopes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rocha wants to control from the top but Lopes keeps moving. #REF3#
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rocha will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
#CL2#
Lopes rushes Rocha and presses him up against the cage.
Lopes is trying to pull guard but Rocha turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.#TD#
Rocha gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Rocha throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage. #T2#
Rocha thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lopes's head. #SUB#
Lopes is defending against the submission attempts here by Rocha.
Rocha trying to control the pace.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.#SUB#
Rocha is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.#T3#
Rocha frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Rocha definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Rocha with a couple of short strikes.
Lopes sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Rocha stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rocha throwing shots but Lopes is blocking nicely. #T4#
Rocha throwing shots but Lopes is blocking nicely.
Rocha is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Rocha is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position. #SUB2#
Lopes looking for submissions off his back.
Rocha lands with a punch from half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ground and pound from Rocha.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Bentley Rocha dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!#R2#
Rocha takes one on the button.
Lopes throws a series of punches but Rocha avoids them all with ease.
Rocha avoids the head kick by Lopes.
Rocha throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lopes slips a jab from Rocha.
Lopes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lopes wants to clinch up but Rocha keeps it at a distance.#CL#
Rocha has Lopes up against the cage in a clinch.
#TD#
Rocha pulls guard effortlessly.
Rocha throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Lopes passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rocha regains half guard.
Rocha is concentrating on defense, preventing Lopes from advancing position.
Rocha landing small, sideways elbows.
Rocha misses with some strikes from the bottom.
#T1#
Rocha moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Lopes throws a big right hand that misses. #SUB#
Rocha has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lopes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rocha is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lopes throws a strike but Rocha rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top. #REVR#
Our spies down at at The Jungle Room inform us that Lopes has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Rocha throws a big elbow that misses.
Rocha lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rocha trying to control but Lopes is working from the bottom.
Rocha postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect. #T2#
Rocha chips away with some ground and pound.
Rocha postures up in Lopes's guard and throws a big left but Lopes blocks it.
Rocha 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.
Rocha is in close to Lopes's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rocha throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rocha controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rocha is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lopes can do to turn this around?
Rocha landing some decent shots from guard.
Rocha wants to control from the top but Lopes keeps moving.
Rocha scores with a decent looking elbow strike.#T3#
Lopes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rocha stays in close to Lopes's body and controls the position.
Rocha with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rocha showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Lopes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage. #REF3#
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lopes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rocha. #T4#
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rocha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Diego Lopes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.#CL#
Rocha moves into the clinch successfully.
Rocha fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lopes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rocha to keep the fight standing.
Rocha throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lopess head. #TD#
Rocha jumps into guard, dragging Lopes to the mat.
Lopes won't allow Rocha to sweep him here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rocha is on top in guard.
#REVR#
Rocha is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rocha trying to control but Lopes is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rocha sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Bentley Rocha dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!#R3#
Rocha moves out of range as Lopes strikes.#CL#
Rocha takes the fight into the clinch. #TD#
Rocha has Lopes pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Rocha pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Lopes tumbling to the mat - Rocha dives into Lopes's guard.
Rocha is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocha trying to control but Lopes is working from the bottom. #T1#
Rocha sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lopes keeping moving, preventing Rocha from controlling successfully.
Lopes keeping full guard, as Rocha tries to pass.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rocha is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.#REF3#
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lopes blocks a head kick by Rocha.
Lopes lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Lopes.#CUT2#It looks like Bentley Rocha has been cut.#CL#
Rocha closes the distance and pushes Lopes back into the cage.#T2##BC#
Rocha breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
#CL2#
Lopes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rocha, pushing him back against the cage.
Lopes is trying to pull guard but Rocha has him pressed against the cage.#TD#
Rocha gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Rocha thows a huge punch but Lopes dodges it nicely.
Rocha trying to pass the guard but Lopes defending well.
Rocha is taking a breather. Lopes says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Rocha scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rocha throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rocha takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.#T3#
Nice strikes from Rocha there.
Rocha not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rocha missing with some ground and pound from the half guard. #SUB#
Rocha is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lopes taking some punishment here, with Rocha in his half guard.
Bentley Rocha is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rocha content to control rather than advance.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Rocha.#T4#
Rocha working over Lopes with some ground and pound. Lopes looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rocha sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Rocha's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Diego Lopes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rocha seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Lopes for as long as he can get away with.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rocha is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that's the end of the fight!
Bentley Rocha showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rocha, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bentley Rocha!
Bentley Rocha spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant. |
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Event:
BANZAI COMBAT 10
Date: Mar 02, 2024 |
#R1#
Rocha slips a straight right by Tanaka.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rocha is defended easily by Tanaka.
Tanaka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rocha lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
An inside leg kick from Rocha misses.
Tanaka tries to move into range but Rocha moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.#CL#
Rocha rushes Tanaka and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rocha works on Tanaka's body with a couple of short punches.#BC#
Rocha breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocha throws a jab when Tanaka was well out of range.
Rocha definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Rocha throws a body kick that misses #TD2#
and Tanaka counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rocha is staying active underneath Tanaka, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rocha tries to roll over but Tanaka keeps him under control.
Tanaka is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.#T1#
Rocha won't allow Tanaka to pass to mount.
Rocha wants to get back to full guard.
Tanaka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tanaka is thwarting Rocha's attempts to control the position.
Rocha tries to get to full guard but Tanaka has control of the leg.
Rocha is concentrating on defense, preventing Tanaka from advancing position.
Tanaka slows the pace down in half guard.
Tanaka trying to mount his opponent but Rocha defends it. #T2#
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Tanaka perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Rocha tries to get to full guard but Tanaka has control of the leg.
Tanaka trying to control from half guard but Rocha is working away. #REF3#
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rocha fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rocha with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tanaka to score with a decent uppercut.
Rocha pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tanaka is out of range and Rocha settles back down.
Rocha swings for the body but Tanaka moves out of range.
#T3#
Tanaka looks to land a right hand but Rocha moved out of range.
Rocha tries to clinch up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rocha is defended easily by Tanaka.
Rocha tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tanaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Rocha.
Tanaka checks a low kick from Rocha.
Tanaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rocha.
A jab lands there for Rocha.
Tanaka scores with a shot to the body.
Tanaka wants to clinch but Rocha slips to the side#TD#
and Rocha counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rocha throwing strikes but missing.
Tanaka controlling Rocha's posture. #T4#
Rocha forces his way into half guard.
Tanaka trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Rocha manages to pass to mount!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tanaka is working to get back to half guard.
Tanaka is still trying to improve position.#SUB#
Rocha looking for a guillotine from mount but Tanaka is having none of it.
Tanaka tries to lock up and control but Rocha gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Bentley Rocha dominated that round.
That's time! Rocha's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.#R2##TD#
Rocha scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Tanaka can't do much from the bottom here.
Rocha working the head and body with strikes.
Rocha is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tanaka can do to turn this around?
Rocha is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Tanaka's shoulder. That is not cool.
Rocha tries to advance to mount but can't.
Rocha working the head and body with strikes.
Tanaka is looking to reverse the position.
Tanaka is trying to control Rocha's posture but Rocha avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tanaka tries to escape but Rocha is in control.
Rocha takes a little break here. Tanaka wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Tanaka tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rocha wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control. #T1#
Rocha taking a breather here.
Tanaka is looking for a sweep.#SUB#
Rocha is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tanaka has escaped the position, nice work there. #SUB#
Rocha in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Tanaka is tapping! That's the end of the fight!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Bentley Rocha!
Bentley Rocha bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it. |
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Event:
BANZAI COMBAT 5
Date: Jan 20, 2024 |
#R1#
Rocha takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rocha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Calderon throws a hook but Rocha blocks it.
Rocha uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Calderon.
Calderon lands a jab.#CUT#It looks like Bentley Rocha has been cut.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Calderon.#TD2#
Rocha scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rocha tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Calderon is not content to let Rocha control the position.
The ground and pound from Rocha seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Rocha throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Calderon knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rocha on the ground.
Rocha misses with an attempted head punch from side control. #T1#
Rocha trying to control the position but Calderon is working away.
Calderon parries the strikes from Rocha easily there. Rocha is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Calderon to escape.
Rocha throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Calderon is not content to let Rocha control the position. #SUB2#
Rocha working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rocha sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Calderon is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
#T2##SUB2#
Rocha tries for a kimura but Calderon is defending well. #SUB2#
Rocha tries for a kimura but Calderon is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rocha sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Calderon is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
You can see the frustration on Calderon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
An elbow from Rocha crashes against the mat.
#T3##SUB2#
Rocha is trying to get an arm triangle but Calderon is defending well.
Rocha working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter. #SUB2#
Rocha looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Rocha working the ground and pound but Calderon is defending the strikes. #SUB2#
Rocha is trying to get an arm triangle but Calderon is defending well.
Calderon is not content to let Rocha control the position. #T4#
Rocha tries to move to mount but Calderon blocks the move with his legs.
Calderon on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Calderon tries to get out of the position.
Rocha keeps trying to improve his position.#SUB2#
Rocha working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Calderon looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rocha throwing shots but missing, from side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Bentley Rocha dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bentley Rocha's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.#R2#
Rocha shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Calderon sprawls well. Calderon wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rocha gets slowly back to his feet.
Rocha fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bentley Rocha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rocha tries to close the distance and clinch but Calderon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Calderon misses with a looping right.
Rocha shoots and misses
and Calderon counters with a straight right hand.
Junior Calderon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bentley Rocha.
Calderon connects with a body shot that sends Rocha's belly button to the back.
Rocha tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Calderon defends well and Rocha ends up having to push Calderon into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rocha tries to close the distance and clinch but Calderon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rocha changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Calderon tries to avoid it but Rocha manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Calderon to the ground. Calderon escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've been informed that Rocha has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Calderon scores with a nice strike.#ROC#Rocha is rocked!
Rocha tries to get into range but Calderon steps to the side and lands a beautiful hook that drops Rocha! He's faceplanted into the mat, ass in the air... he's out cold! That's an image he won't want to show his grandkids when he gets older! Calderon scores the big KO victory!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Junior Calderon! |
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Event:
BANZAI COMBAT 3
Date: Jan 06, 2024 |
#R1#
Rocha scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Lopes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rocha swivels and escapes.
Lopes shoots in for a double leg but Rocha sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rocha throws a sloppy head kick and Lopes moves out of range easily.
Lopes misses with a looping left.
Rocha misses with a straight right.
Lopes tries to counter by closing the distance.#CL2#
Rocha gets tackled into the cage by Lopes. Lopes maintains the clinch. #TD2#
Lopes pulls guard. #SUB2#
Lopes is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rocha looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.#SUB2#
Lopes looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rocha passes into side control.
#T1#
Lopes tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Rocha presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Rocha tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Rocha looking to control but Lopes is working nicely, looking to advance position himself. #T2#
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rocha takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Rocha looking to finish Lopes with some ground and pound. This is bad for Lopes!
Rocha unloading with bombs!
Rocha lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
#T3#
Rocha trying to control but Lopes is having none of it.
Rocha dominating with strikes here.
Rocha punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rocha throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Lopes flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Rocha controlling the position easily from mount. #T4#
Rocha lands a nice shot to the head.
Rocha landing strikes, looking to finish!
Lopes avoids a series of strikes thrown by Rocha.
Lopes in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Rocha raining down hammerfists from mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rocha content just to control the position here.
Rocha lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Lopes hang on?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Bentley Rocha dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.#R2#
Lopes tries to bum rush Rocha with a series of wild strikes but Rocha uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Diego Lopes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lopes avoids the head kick by Rocha.
Lopes wants to clinch but Rocha slips to the side
and Rocha counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rocha is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lopes can do to turn this around?
Lopes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Some wild striking there from Lopes.
#CL2#
Rocha gets tackled into the cage by Lopes. Lopes maintains the clinch.
Rocha lands with a right to the head.
Lopes misses with a short punch on the inside. #TD2#
Lopes drags the fight down to the ground.
#SUB2#
Lopes has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rocha is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Lopes.
Rocha tries to move to mount but Lopes blocks the move with his legs. #T1#
Rocha trying to control the position but Lopes is working away.
Lopes is looking for a sweep.
Rocha fails to land a wild elbow strike.
#T2#
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Lopes manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Still in half guard, Rocha seems content to control.
Rocha wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lopes keeps working.
Rocha seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense. #REF3#
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rocha looks to throw the jab but Lopes is out of range.
Lopes steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Rocha.
Rocha swings for the body but Lopes moves out of range.
#T3#
Lopes bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lopes connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rocha's hands.
Lopes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rocha.
Rocha loads up on a big right hand but Lopes slips the punch.
Lopes misses with an uppercut.
Lopes connects with a looping right hand.
Lopes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lopes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rocha throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lopes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lopes wants it to stay on the feet.
A punch lands to the side of Lopes 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lopes tries to clinch but Rocha is having none of it.
Diego Lopes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.#TD2#
Lopes feints and as Rocha raises his hands in defense, Lopes changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rocha has control of Lopes's left arm, preventing Lopes from doing any damage.
Rocha is trying to control the position but Lopes postures up. #T4#
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rocha holds on and takes a little breather.
Rocha working a defensive guard here.
Rocha wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rocha tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lopes wants to control from the top but Rocha keeps moving.
Rocha thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage. #REF3#
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rocha shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lopes defends it nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Diego Lopes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!#R3#
Rocha lands a jab-cross combination.
Lopes tries to clinch up but Rocha circles away and keeps his distance.#TD#
Rocha shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lopes is trying to defend but Rocha finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Bentley Rocha overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rocha is trying to control. Lopes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocha with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Lopes is looking to improve his position.
#T1#
Rocha stalling.
Lopes won't allow Rocha to pass to mount. #SUB2#
Lopes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rocha lands a nice short elbow.#T2#
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Well, if Rocha is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
#REF3#
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rocha will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rocha circles away from the clinch attempt.
#CL2#
Lopes closes the distance and clinches.
Lopes fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Lopes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rocha just stands there and leans against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rocha.
Lopes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rocha just stands there and leans against the cage.
Bentley Rocha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Lopes.
Rocha lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lopes or not.
Rocha is trying to break free.
Lopes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rocha to keep the fight standing.
Lopes is trying to pull guard but Rocha has him pressed against the cage.
Rocha scores with a shoulder strike.
Rocha fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
#T3##BC#
Rocha manages to break the clinch.
Rocha throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lopes's waist but Lopes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rocha off to one side. #CL#
Rocha forces Lopes back against the cage and clinches.
Rocha lands with a good tight uppercut to the head. #BC#
Rocha breaks from the clinch.
Lopes scores with a push kick.#CL#
Rocha moves into the clinch.
Lopes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rocha just stands there and leans against the cage.#TD#
Rocha has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lopes uses from the top position.
Rocha preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rocha has Lopes pulled in close to control his posture.
Rocha scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Rocha utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound. #T4#
Rocha looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it. #SUB2#
Lopes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rocha manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Lopes has Rocha in his guard.#REVR#
Lopes keeping moving, preventing Rocha from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.#SUB2#
Rocha got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lopes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rocha has managed to get both his arms back between Lopes's legs - danger averted.
And that's the end of the fight!
Bentley Rocha showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rocha 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bentley Rocha!
Bentley Rocha was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed. |
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