PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Imro Rozenblad (ranked 2835 p4p, 5367 weight class) and Martins Verdins (ranked 130 p4p, 204 weight class). Rozenblad comes to the cage accompanied by They Donâ€™t Care About Us. 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.

Rozenblad
vs
Verdins

225 cm
27
300
8 - 4 - 0

200 cm
33
295
7 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Imro Rozenblad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Martins Verdins!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Verdins moves out of range of the strikes.
Rozenblad scores with a decent looking hook.
Rozenblad throws a looping overhand right but Verdins ducks down to avoid it.
Rozenblad moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Nice sprawl there from Rozenblad as Verdins shoots in.
Rozenblad connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Verdins shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rozenblad sprawls well. Rozenblad wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Verdins gets slowly back to his feet.
Imro Rozenblad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rozenblad fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Verdins on the side of the head.
A big left from Rozenblad misses.
Verdins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rozenblad looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Verdins tries to move into range but Rozenblad moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rozenblad gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Verdins wanted to stand there but Rozenblad had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rozenblad wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rozenblad continues to stall.
Verdins trying to control the position from guard on top but Rozenblad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rozenblad controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rozenblad bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

It looks like Martins Verdins has been cut.
Rozenblad throws a right hand that misses

and Verdins holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Verdins stops a takedown attempt from Rozenblad.
Rozenblad is trying to drag Verdins to the mat but Verdins just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Verdins manages to break the clinch.
Verdins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rozenblad displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Verdins.
Imro Rozenblad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martins Verdins.
Rozenblad scores with a jab to the head.
Verdins needs to keep his hands up - Rozenblad had a free shot at his head there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rozenblad throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Verdins counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Verdins walks into a jab.
Verdins gets caught by a brutal right hook which buckles his knees! Verdins tries to backpedal with his spaghettilegs but Rozenblad is headhunting and goes for the kill. A jab and a right hook connect and Verdins buckles badly as his eyes roll back. The referee steps in and saves Verdins!! Verdins is complaining but he was clearly out on his feet. Rozenblad throws his mouthpiece into the crowd. Mmmm spit-tastic.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:14 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Imro Rozenblad!
After winning the bout, Imro Rozenblad thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.