PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tomasz Mielcuch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Strauss Von Rochenberger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mielcuch
vs
Von Rochenberger

185 cm
18
183 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tomasz Mielcuch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Strauss Von Rochenberger!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Edson Gomes and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mielcuch drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Rochenberger is trying to control Mielcuch's posture but Mielcuch avoids it.
Rochenberger is looking to regain half guard here but Mielcuch keeps moving and retains side control.

Mielcuch stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Rochenberger thows a body kick. Mielcuch tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Tomasz Mielcuch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mielcuch tries to clinch there but Rochenberger circles away.
Mielcuch avoids the head kick by Rochenberger.

Mielcuch clinches up against the ropes.
Rochenberger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Mielcuch escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mielcuch circles away from the clinch attempt

so Mielcuch counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rochenberger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rochenberger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rochenberger throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Rochenberger is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Mielcuch is breathing heavily.
Rochenberger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Mielcuch stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A combination from Mielcuch does no damage.
Rochenberger circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rochenberger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mielcuch.
Mielcuch closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rochenberger circles away.
Rochenberger connects with a high kick.
Rochenberger tries to clinch but Mielcuch moves out of range.

Rochenberger gets the takedown into side control.
Rochenberger trying to control the position but Mielcuch is working away.
Mielcuch is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mielcuch tries to escape but Rochenberger is in control.
Mielcuch defending against the ground and pound.
Mielcuch sneaks back into half guard.

Mielcuch makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Mielcuch looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rochenberger lands a head kick!

Mielcuch darts in and clinches Rochenberger up against the ropes.
Mielcuch blocks an elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rochenberger.
Mielcuch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rochenberger has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mielcuch tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Mielcuch has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rochenberger uses from the top position.
Rochenberger postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rochenberger wants to control from the top but Mielcuch keeps moving.
Rochenberger has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mielcuch wants to improve his position but instead Rochenberger has moved into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rochenberger lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rochenberger uses his free foot to push down on Mielcuch's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Mielcuch.
Rochenberger avoids the attempt from Mielcuch to control.

Rochenberger looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Rochenberger scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Mielcuch?
Rochenberger trying to control but Mielcuch is having none of it.
Rochenberger looking to finish Mielcuch with some ground and pound. This is bad for Mielcuch!
Rochenberger pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rochenberger wants to control the pace but Mielcuch is squirming around nicely.
Rochenberger lands a heavy elbow.
Mielcuch is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rochenberger landing strikes, looking to finish!
Mielcuch tries to reverse the position but Rochenberger maintains control.
Mielcuch is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mielcuch keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rochenberger throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Mielcuch is trying to stand.
Mielcuch tries to lock up and control but Rochenberger gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
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 Tomasz Mielcuch will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mielcuch throws a big shot that misses.
Mielcuch shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Mielcuch gets a takedown into half guard.
Rochenberger has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mielcuch is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rochenberger manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rochenberger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rochenberger is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rochenberger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rochenberger is trying to control the position but Mielcuch postures up.

Rochenberger throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mielcuch with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mielcuch trying to control the position from guard on top but Rochenberger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rochenberger with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Mielcuch can't handle though.
Mielcuch lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mielcuch scoring with some ground and pound.
Mielcuch wants to pass the guard but Rochenberger is keeping the position.

Mielcuch gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A punch combination from Mielcuch misses.

Mielcuch clinches with his opponent.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Rochenberger throws an elbow but misses.
Mielcuch stalling.
Mielcuch lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rochenberger or not.
Rochenberger misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mielcuch.

Mielcuch pulls guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mielcuch wants to sweep here but Rochenberger controlling him for the moment.
Mielcuch is trying to hold Rochenberger in close to prevent damage but Rochenberger has managed to pass into half guard.
Mielcuch gets back to full guard.
Rochenberger trying to control but Mielcuch is working from the bottom.
Rochenberger passes Mielcuch's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rochenberger seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mielcuch does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mielcuch is pressing down on Rochenberger's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Mielcuch scrambles and gets back to his feet.
A slapping body kick lands there for Rochenberger.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rochenberger fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mielcuch manages to avoid it.
Rochenberger pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mielcuch tries to close the distance and clinch but Rochenberger swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rochenberger tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Mielcuch paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mielcuch shoots in for a double leg but Rochenberger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice takedown defense from Rochenberger. No joy for Mielcuch on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomasz Mielcuch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mielcuch takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rochenberger.
Mielcuch throws a right and a left that Rochenberger avoids nicely.
Rochenberger throws a front kick that sends Mielcuch stumbling back into the ropes.

Mielcuch forces Rochenberger back against the ropes and clinches.
Mielcuch scores a nice knee to the body.
Mielcuch trying to stall but Rochenberger improves his position.
Rochenberger missing with knees to the body.
Rochenberger jumps guard but Mielcuch stands there with Rochenberger around his waist. Rochenberger gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rochenberger throws an elbow that misses.
Mielcuch is leaning against Rochenberger and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rochenberger with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Mielcuch breaks from the clinch.
A punch combination from Mielcuch misses.
Mielcuch is looking to clinch but Rochenberger is avoiding it.
Mielcuch throws a right hand that Rochenberger ducks under and follows up with a left that Rochenberger also avoids with ease.
Mielcuch swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Rochenberger lands but Mielcuch takes it in his stride.

Mielcuch is rocked!
Mielcuch tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Oh Mielcuch is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rochenberger tries a head kick but it misses.
Rochenberger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rochenberger misses with a takedown attempt - Mielcuch sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rochenberger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mielcuch's sensitive parts.
Mielcuch seems to have got his legs back now.
Rochenberger scores with a head kick.
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!

Mielcuch clinches with his opponent.

Mielcuch pulls Rochenberger into guard.
Rochenberger won't allow Mielcuch to sweep him here.
Mielcuch wants to stand up but Rochenberger is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mielcuch looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rochenberger postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rochenberger trying to control the position from guard on top but Mielcuch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tomasz Mielcuch will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Mielcuch moves in looking to clinch but Rochenberger pushes him off.
Mielcuch takes a kick to the side of the head.

Mielcuch fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rochenberger, pushing him back against the ropes.
Rochenberger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rochenberger stalling in the clinch but Mielcuch improves position.

Mielcuch escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No joy there for Mielcuch, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rochenberger connects with a high kick.
Mielcuch has his takedown stuffed
and Rochenberger counters with a nice leg kick.
Rochenberger is looking to slow Mielcuch down with leg kicks.

Mielcuch clinches with his opponent.
Stalling in the clinch from Mielcuch.

Mielcuch breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mielcuch moves into the clinch.
Mielcuch blocks an uppercut.

Mielcuch breaks from the clinch.
Rochenberger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mielcuch is looking to clinch but Rochenberger is avoiding it.
Mielcuch sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Rochenberger keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mielcuch blocks a head kick by Rochenberger.
Rochenberger avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mielcuch tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mielcuch shoots in for a takedown but Rochenberger shows good takedown defense.
Mielcuch tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Rochenberger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rochenberger connects with a high kick.
A lazy body kick from Rochenberger

and Mielcuch decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rochenberger's guard.
Mielcuch sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Mielcuch won't allow Rochenberger to sweep him here.
Rochenberger keeping moving, preventing Mielcuch from controlling successfully.

Mielcuch gets to his feet. Rochenberger looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Rochenberger tries to keep at a distance but Mielcuch has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mielcuch leaning against his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rochenberger tries to score a body lock takedown but Mielcuch shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Mielcuch ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mielcuch no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Rochenberger postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rochenberger is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rochenberger wants to control from the top but Mielcuch keeps moving.
Mielcuch is trying to keep Rochenberger in close.
Rochenberger is looking to stand up but Mielcuch won't let him.
Mielcuch keeping moving, preventing Rochenberger from controlling successfully.
Rochenberger landing with the ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mielcuch keeping moving, preventing Rochenberger from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rochenberger looks for the body kick but Mielcuch saw that one coming.
Crunch! Rochenberger slams his shin into Mielcuch's torso.
Rochenberger plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Mielcuch darts in and clinches Rochenberger up against the ropes.
Rochenberger misses with a knee to the head.
Mielcuch is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mielcuch landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Mielcuch manages to pull guard.
Mielcuch avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mielcuch keeping moving, preventing Rochenberger from controlling successfully.

Mielcuch has his foot on Rochenberger's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rochenberger works his way back into a safe position though.
Mielcuch is trying to hold Rochenberger in close to prevent damage but Rochenberger has managed to pass into half guard.
Rochenberger is looking to take a break and control but Mielcuch is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mielcuch regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rochenberger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mielcuch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tomasz Mielcuch overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rochenberger wants to control from the top but Mielcuch keeps moving.

Mielcuch throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rochenberger trying to control but Mielcuch is working from the bottom.
Strauss Von Rochenberger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rochenberger is in close to Mielcuch's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rochenberger thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mielcuch not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tomasz Mielcuch.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mielcuch, 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tomasz Mielcuch!