PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nick Kline (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Strauss Von Rochenberger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Von Rochenberger is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Rammstein - Sonne. Nick Kline has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kline
vs
Von Rochenberger

190 cm
27
250 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

190 cm
24
260 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nick Kline!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Strauss Von Rochenberger!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Eddie Farnsworth and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Von Rochenberger displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kline throws out the jab.
Von Rochenberger closes the distance but Kline moves to the side

and Kline counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Von Rochenberger's guard now.
Von Rochenberger controls Kline momentarily but Kline frees himself.
Kline trying to control but Von Rochenberger is working from the bottom.
Kline is pushing down on Von Rochenberger's leg trying to pass to half guard. Von Rochenberger is fighting to maintain full guard but Kline has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kline tries to pass to full mount but Von Rochenberger defends it.

Kline is working for a submission of some sort.
Von Rochenberger moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kline won't allow Von Rochenberger to sweep him here.
Kline pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Von Rochenberger is keeping the position for now.
Kline looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kline wants to control from the top but Von Rochenberger keeps moving.

That's two 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Von Rochenberger keeping full guard, as Kline tries to pass.

Kline drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Von Rochenberger manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kline has Von Rochenberger in his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Von Rochenberger postures up.

Von Rochenberger got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kline has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Von Rochenberger has managed to get both his arms back between Kline's legs - danger averted.
Von Rochenberger preventing the sweep.
Von Rochenberger loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kline working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Von Rochenberger doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Von Rochenberger manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Von Rochenberger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kline is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kline keeping full guard, as Von Rochenberger tries to pass.

Von Rochenberger stands up and waves to Kline to follow him.
Von Rochenberger lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Von Rochenberger.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Von Rochenberger tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Kline decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Von Rochenberger's guard.
Von Rochenberger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Von Rochenberger keeping moving, preventing Kline from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Von Rochenberger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kline trying to control the position from guard on top but Von Rochenberger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Von Rochenberger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kline is one step ahead there.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Von Rochenberger wants to stand but Kline is controlling the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kline throws an overhand right that lands on Von Rochenberger's shoulder, as Von Rochenberger tries to avoid the shot.
Kline tries for a takedown but Von Rochenberger circles away easily
and Von Rochenberger counters with a good, hard body kick but Kline shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Strauss Von Rochenberger dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Von Rochenberger tries to sprawl but Kline drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kline trying to control the action but Von Rochenberger is working from the bottom.
Von Rochenberger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kline is looking to advance position but Von Rochenberger won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nick Kline has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Kline shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Von Rochenberger as he jumps to the side.
Kline shoots and misses

so Von Rochenberger counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Von Rochenberger wants to stand but Kline has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Nick Kline overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kline looking for a sweep. Not yet Kline, not yet.

Kline throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kline working for a triangle but Von Rochenberger defends it easily.
Kline utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Kline is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Von Rochenberger is aware though and is defending well.

Von Rochenberger stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kline keeps the fight on the outside.
Kline tries to score a power double leg takedown but Von Rochenberger sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kline somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Kline. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kline darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Kline is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Von Rochenberger keeping hold of Kline's head, controlling as best he can.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Von Rochenberger works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kline slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Von Rochenberger is trying to buck Kline off.
Kline wants to control but Von Rochenberger is keeping him busy.
Kline laying and praying for a moment but Von Rochenberger takes advantage and regains half guard.

Kline looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four 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.
Von Rochenberger tries to kick Kline off but Kline keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Kline is looking for a kimura but Von Rochenberger is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kline to get the leverage.

Kline trying to work for an americana but Von Rochenberger has managed to regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Strauss Von Rochenberger will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Von Rochenberger wants to clinch up but Kline keeps it at a distance.
Kline is trying hard to land a takedown here. Von Rochenberger sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Von Rochenberger tries to clinch up.
Kline avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kline has a takedown stuffed.
Kline fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Kline. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kline misses with a takedown attempt

and Von Rochenberger counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kline!
Von Rochenberger can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kline is looking to escape.
Kline is looking to improve his position but Von Rochenberger isn't that keen on the idea.
Von Rochenberger scoring with strikes but Kline is staying in there.
Von Rochenberger avoids the attempt from Kline to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Rochenberger lands a big elbow.
Kline can't escape the position.
Von Rochenberger avoids the attempt from Kline to control.
Von Rochenberger tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Von Rochenberger working the ground and pound effectively.
Von Rochenberger lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Von Rochenberger with good strikes from the mount here!
Von Rochenberger prevents Kline from getting the reversal.
Kline is bucking up trying to escape but Von Rochenberger cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Von Rochenberger content just to control the position here.
Von Rochenberger tries to control but Kline wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Von Rochenberger is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kline can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Von Rochenberger working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Kline is squirming around, avoiding Von Rochenberger's attempts to control the action.
Von Rochenberger connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kline is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kline tries to hold on but Von Rochenberger pushes him away.
Kline is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Rochenberger misses with a head shot.
Von Rochenberger prevents Kline from getting the reversal.
Strauss Von Rochenberger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Von Rochenberger controlling the pace for now.
Kline is working to get back to half guard.
Von Rochenberger controlling his opponent.
Von Rochenberger looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Von Rochenberger unloading with bombs!
Kline working to try and regain half guard.
Von Rochenberger unloading with bombs!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Von Rochenberger wants to control the pace but Kline is squirming around nicely.
Von Rochenberger connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Von Rochenberger takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kline sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Von Rochenberger wants to stand up but Kline has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Von Rochenberger stalling.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Von Rochenberger trying to control the action but Kline is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Strauss Von Rochenberger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Von Rochenberger 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 26:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Strauss Von Rochenberger!