PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Sadia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demian Rocha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sadia
vs
Rocha

182 cm
21
192 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

183 cm
20
196 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Sadia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Demian Rocha!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Luis Engracia and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sadia leaves Rocha with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rocha keeps the fight on the outside.
Sadia tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rocha paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rocha shoots in looking for a takedown. Sadia tries to sprawl out of it but Rocha keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sadia manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sadia looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rocha has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sadia doesn't manage to clinch there - Rocha circles away.
Rocha avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Sadia closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Sadia breaks the clinch.
Sadia fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sadia fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sadia tries to clinch up.
Rocha misses with an uppercut. Sadia saw that one coming.
Rocha fails with a takedown attempt.
Mike Sadia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Demian Rocha.
Rocha wants to slow Sadia down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha misses with a hook.
Sadia moves in looking to clinch but Rocha pushes him off.
Sadia fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sadia tries to clinch but Rocha is having none of it.
Sadia tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rocha paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sadia looks to land a combination but Rocha avoids it well.
Sadia moves in looking to clinch but Rocha pushes him off.
Rocha shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sadia as he avoids it easily.
Sadia tries to clinch up but Rocha circles away and keeps his distance.
Sadia tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rocha.

Sadia fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rocha, pushing him back against the cage.
Sadia stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Rocha tries for a takedown but Sadia manages to get underhooks.
Sadia lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sadia slows down the pace here.
Rocha looking for a takedown.
Sadia gets underhooks to prevent Rocha's takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sadia lands a shot to the body.
Rocha looks gassed!
Sadia lands with a left to the head.
Sadia lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rocha backwards.
Rocha can't get the takedown.
A short right from Sadia on the inside.

Sadia's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No joy there for Sadia, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mike Sadia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sadia fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sadia moves in looking to clinch but Rocha pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sadia looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rocha avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Sadia gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sadia is looking to control Rocha's arms but Rocha gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sadia has his back to the cage.
Rocha has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sadia avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sadia.
Sadia lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A hook to the body from Sadia.
Sadia stalling in the clinch.
Rocha is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sadia gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sadia looking to throw knees to the head but Rocha is blocking nicely.
Sadia lands with a right to the head.

Sadia breaks from the clinch.
Sadia wants to clinch.
Sadia tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rocha swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sadia tries to clinch up but Rocha circles away and keeps his distance.
Rocha shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sadia as he avoids it easily.
Sadia tries to close the distance and clinch but Rocha swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sadia tries to clinch but Rocha moves out of range.
Sadia wants to clinch up but Rocha keeps it at a distance.
Sadia moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rocha falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sadia counters by clinching up.
Sadia misses with a knee to the head.
Rocha is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sadia pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sadia lands a shot to the body.
Sadia lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rocha backwards.
Sadia effectively controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sadia's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sadia tries to close the distance and clinch but Rocha swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sadia tries to clinch up.

Sadia rushes Rocha and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sadia lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sadia connects with a knee to the head.
A short left from Sadia.
Sadia throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rochas head.
Sadia using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rocha has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rocha wants a takedown but no success here.
Sadia lands with a left to the head.
Rocha is trying to drag Sadia to the mat but Sadia just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sadia stalling in the clinch.
Rocha's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rocha letting Sadia take a breather here.
Rocha tries to score a body lock takedown but Sadia shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sadia slows down the pace here.
A nice left hand lands by Sadia.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Sadia dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sadia fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sadia tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rocha paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sadia keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rocha falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sadia holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sadia working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sadia is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Sadia gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rocha.
Sadia pressing his opponent against the cage.
Sadia pushes Rocha back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sadia lands with a short shot to the head.
Rocha is breathing heavily.
Rocha can't break the clinch.
Rocha on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sadia lands a nice uppercut.
Rocha goes for a takedown attempt but Sadia pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mike Sadia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Demian Rocha.
Rocha with a lazy takedown attempt

and Sadia counters by moving into the clinch.
Sadia scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sadia gets through Rocha's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sadia lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rocha being controlled against the cage.
Sadia lands a hook to the side of the head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sadia lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rocha tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sadia just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rocha jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sadia walks away with a smile on his face. Rocha gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sadia tries to clinch up.

Sadia rushes Rocha and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rocha wants a takedown.
Sadia works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rocha letting Sadia take a breather here.

Sadia pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sadia wants to clinch.
Sadia tries to clinch there but Rocha circles away.
Rocha avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocha swats away the attempt to clinch by Sadia.
Rocha fails with a takedown attempt.
Sadia is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Sadia gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rocha on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rocha goes for a takedown attempt but Sadia pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sadia tries to close the distance and clinch but Rocha swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mike Sadia is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rocha tries for a takedown but Sadia circles away easily

and Sadia counters by moving into the clinch.
Sadia trying to land knees to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Sadia.
Rocha is working for takedown but Sadia is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sadia scores with a shot to the side of Rocha's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sadia lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sadia lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sadia holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Sadia lands a nice uppercut.
Sadia with a knee to the head.
A body shot lands from Sadia.

Sadia breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sadia looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sadia moves in looking to clinch but Rocha pushes him off.

Sadia gets a clinch.
Sadia stalling in the clinch.
Rocha can't get the takedown.
Sadia throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rochas head.

Sadia breaks from the clinch.
A shot to de liver by Sadia. Beautiful body shot.
Rocha swats away the attempt to clinch by Sadia.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sadia lands a nice uppercut.
Sadia tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Rocha turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Sadia wants to get back to his feet but Rocha drags him back down.
Rocha in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Sadia is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rocha is stalling here. Sadia is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Rocha seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Sadia has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Sadia scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Rocha to see if he's OK.
Rocha tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sadia cracks Rocha with a big elbow.
Sadia tries to move to mount but Rocha blocks the move with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Sadia dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rocha shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sadia wants to get back to his feet.
Sadia has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rocha is working away from the top position though.
Rocha is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sadia wants to improve his position but Rocha is controlling well.
Rocha is thwarting Sadia's attempts to control the position.
Sadia wants to get back to full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sadia tries to close the distance and clinch but Rocha swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rocha tries for a takedown but Sadia circles away easily

and Sadia counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sadia.

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.

Rocha manages to pull guard.
Sadia wants to stand but Rocha has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Rocha lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sadia!
Rocha working the ground and pound effectively.
Rocha putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Rocha trying to control but Sadia is having none of it.
Sadia regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocha stops Sadia from getting back to his feet.
Sadia is trying to get back to full guard.
Rocha is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Demian Rocha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rocha avoids the attempt from Sadia to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rocha has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Sadia's face.
Sadia really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rocha can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sadia is looking to escape.
Mike Sadia is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rocha cracks Sadia with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sadia is trying to escape the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Demian Rocha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sadia 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Sadia!