PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between DJ tiongson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

tiongson
vs
Romero

179 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, DJ tiongson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Rich Romero!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
tiongson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
tiongson shoots for a takedown but Romero saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Romero pushes tiongson up against the cage in a clinch.
Romero is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
tiongson tries to pull guard but Romero holds him up against the cage and eventually tiongson drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ tiongson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Romero prevents the takedown attempt.
Romero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and tiongson avoids it.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
tiongson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Romero just stands there and leans against the cage.
Romero landing knees to the body.
tiongson is breathing heavily.
Romero using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
Romero unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Romero utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
tiongson avoiding damage as Romero throws knees to the body.
Romero landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Romero with a knee to the head.
Romero scores a nice knee to the body.
Romero tries to land a knee to the head but tiongson blocks with his arms.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Romero obliges.
Romero trying to land knees to the body.
Romero unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Romero missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero struggles to land a body shot inside as tiongson controls his hands.
Romero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and tiongson avoids it.
tiongson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Romero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and tiongson avoids it.
tiongson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Romero has him pressed against the cage.
tiongson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Romero tries to land a knee to the head but tiongson blocks with his arms.
tiongson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Romero smiles and moves away.
Romero tries to close the distance and clinch up but tiongson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rich Romero is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
tiongson lands with a kick to the temple. Romero shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
tiongson pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Romero back to the cage. tiongson follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Romero closes the distance and clinches.
tiongson fails to pull guard.
tiongson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Romero is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. tiongson is defending well for now.
tiongson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Romero pulls him back up using the underhooks.
tiongson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
tiongson tries to pull guard but Romero won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from tiongson.
tiongson trying to stall but Romero improves his position.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
tiongson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
tiongson avoiding damage as Romero throws knees to the body.
tiongson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Romero lands a body shot.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
Romero prevents a takedown attempt there.
tiongson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
tiongson missing with knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Romero.
tiongson looking to slow down the pace here.
Romero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and tiongson avoids it.
Romero tries a knee to the head but tiongson blocks it.
Romero landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Romero connects with a knee to the head.
Romero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but tiongson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
tiongson goes for a takedown attempt but Romero pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. tiongson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Romero closes the distance and clinches.
Romero tries to land knees in the clinch but tiongson avoids the damage to the body.
tiongson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Romero just stands there and leans against the cage.
Romero stops a takedown attempt from tiongson.
tiongson takes an elbow to the forehead.
tiongson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
tiongson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Romero is keeping busy.
Romero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and tiongson avoids it.
tiongson is trying to break the clinch but Romero has him pressed against the cage.
tiongson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
tiongson tries to break free but Romero pushes him back against the cage.
Romero tries to land knees in the clinch but tiongson avoids the damage to the body.
tiongson can't get the takedown.
Romero is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. tiongson is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
tiongson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Romero just stands there and leans against the cage.
tiongson tries to pull guard but Romero won't allow it.
Romero lands an uppercut.
Romero scores a nice knee to the body.
tiongson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
tiongson tries to stall but Romero uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Romero misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from tiongson.
tiongson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Romero lands a good knee to the midsection. tiongson won't want to take too many of those.
tiongson misses with a body punch.
Romero unloads a knee to the mid-section.
tiongson tries to pull guard but Romero won't allow it.
tiongson is trying to push Romero away but Romero has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Romero tries to land knees in the clinch but tiongson avoids the damage to the body.
tiongson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Romero trying to land knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
tiongson fails to pull guard.
Romero looking to throw knees to the head but tiongson is blocking nicely.
tiongson managing to block the knees to the body from Romero.
tiongson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Romero has him pressed against the cage.
Romero goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Romero dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

tiongson shoots in and drives through. Romero sprawls well.
tiongson tries to clinch but Romero moves away

and Romero counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Romero tries to land knees in the clinch but tiongson avoids the damage to the body.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
tiongson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Romero prevents it.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Romero in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Romero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and tiongson avoids it.
Romero trying to land knees to the body.
Romero looking to throw knees to the head but tiongson is blocking nicely.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
tiongson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Romero has him pressed against the cage.
Romero using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Romero tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
tiongson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
tiongson tries to pull guard but Romero holds him up against the cage and eventually tiongson drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ tiongson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Romero tries to land knees in the clinch but tiongson avoids the damage to the body.
Romero crunches a lovely knee into tiongson's ribcage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
tiongson is working for takedown but Romero is calmly controlling the position for now.
Romero landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero landing knees to the head.
tiongson managing to block the knees to the body from Romero.
Romero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but tiongson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Romero tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Romero throws a knee to the head but misses.
Romero gets underhooks to prevent tiongson's takedown attempt.
tiongson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Romero avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Romero unloads a knee to the mid-section. tiongson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Romero is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
tiongson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A knee to the head by Romero.
Romero utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Romero throws a knee to the head but misses.
Romero is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. tiongson is defending well for now.
tiongson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
tiongson managing to block the knees to the body from Romero.
Romero misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from tiongson.
tiongson avoiding damage as Romero throws knees to the body.
tiongson tries to pull guard but Romero won't allow it.
tiongson tries to pull guard but Romero won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Romero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
tiongson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Romero tries to land a knee to the head but tiongson blocks with his arms.
tiongson stalling in the clinch but Romero improves position.
Romero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and tiongson avoids it.
Romero is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. tiongson is defending well for now.
Romero throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but tiongson blocks it with crossed arms.
Romero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and tiongson avoids it.
Romero missing with knees to the body.
tiongson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Romero misses with a knee strike.
tiongson looking to slow down the pace here.
tiongson is trying to push Romero away but Romero has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Romero lands a knee to the head.
tiongson tries to pull guard but Romero holds him up against the cage and eventually tiongson drops back down to his feet.
Romero throws a knee to the head but misses.
tiongson wants to break free but Romero has control.
Romero with a knee to the head.
tiongson tries to break free but Romero pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero trying to land knees to the body.
tiongson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
tiongson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
tiongson is trying to maintain a safe position but Romero gets an underhook and turns tiongson into the cage.
Romero unloads a knee to the mid-section. tiongson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Romero dodges an elbow strike from tiongson.
tiongson working hard to break the clinch.
tiongson avoiding damage as Romero throws knees to the body.
Romero gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from tiongson.
Romero throws a knee to the head but misses.
tiongson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
tiongson prevents a body shot from Romero.
Romero trying to land knees to the body.
tiongson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
tiongson prevents a body shot from Romero.
tiongson tries a body shot but Romero blocks it.
tiongson tries to pull guard but Romero won't allow it.
Romero dodges an elbow strike from tiongson.
Romero with an attempt at a knee that misses.
tiongson looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Romero lands a knee to the body.
tiongson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Romero is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. tiongson is defending well for now.
tiongson misses with a punch to the body.
tiongson trying to control the position but instead, Romero has worked for underhooks and has pushed tiongson into the cage.
tiongson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
tiongson goes for a takedown attempt but Romero pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Romero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Romero moves into the clinch.
Romero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but tiongson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
tiongson tries for a takedown. No joy.
tiongson avoiding damage as Romero throws knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Romero.
tiongson working hard to break the clinch.
Romero is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. tiongson is defending well for now.
tiongson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Romero smiles and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Romero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

tiongson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
DJ tiongson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Romero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
tiongson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Romero defends it nicely.

Romero moves into range and clinches up with tiongson.
Romero landing knees to the body.
tiongson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Romero lands a good knee to the midsection. tiongson won't want to take too many of those.
tiongson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
tiongson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
tiongson avoiding damage as Romero throws knees to the body.
tiongson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Romero avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ tiongson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
tiongson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Romero lands a knee to the body.
tiongson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Romero fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Romero is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
tiongson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Romero as he jumps to the side.
A head kick misses from Romero.
Romero throws a head kick that misses.
No luck for tiongson with that takedown attempt.
tiongson is looking to clinch but Romero is avoiding it.
Romero tries to close the distance and clinch but tiongson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Romero is looking to clinch.
tiongson scores with a head kick. Romero tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
tiongson tries to clinch but Romero is having none of it.
Romero tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but tiongson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Romero tries to clinch up.
Romero swats away the attempt to clinch by tiongson.
Romero lands with a kick to the temple. tiongson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
No luck with that takedown attempt from tiongson.
Romero misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
tiongson shoots in looking for a takedown but Romero manages to keep the fight standing, pushing tiongson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Romero circles away from the clinch attempt.

Romero drives through and clinches with tiongson against the cage.
Romero misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from tiongson.
tiongson avoiding damage as Romero throws knees to the body.
Romero tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
tiongson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Romero tries to land knees in the clinch but tiongson avoids the damage to the body.
tiongson jumps guard but Romero stands there with tiongson around his waist. tiongson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Romero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but tiongson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
tiongson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
tiongson tries to stall but Romero uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Romero is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. tiongson is defending well for now.
tiongson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Romero avoids it.
tiongson avoiding damage as Romero throws knees to the body.
tiongson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
tiongson trying to control the position but instead, Romero has worked for underhooks and has pushed tiongson into the cage.
tiongson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Romero landing knees to the body.
Romero tries a body shot but tiongson blocks it.
tiongson tries to break free but Romero pushes him back against the cage.
Romero with a knee to the head.
tiongson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Romero looking to throw knees to the head but tiongson is blocking nicely.
tiongson can't break the clinch.
Romero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Romero with a knee to the head.
Romero trying to land knees to the body.
tiongson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Romero just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rich Romero is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
tiongson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Romero smiles and moves away.

Romero rushes tiongson and presses him up against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Romero obliges.
tiongson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Romero walks away with a smile on his face. tiongson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
tiongson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Romero as he avoids it easily.
Romero fails with an attempt to clinch.
tiongson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Romero throws a head kick that misses.
tiongson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Romero lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
tiongson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Romero as he avoids it easily.
tiongson closes the distance and clinches up with Romero, looking for a takedown. tiongson pushes Romero against the cage but Romero circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
DJ tiongson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Romero moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rich Romero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Romero has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rich Romero!