PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rick Robinson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Polk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robinson comes into the arena with Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up blaring out of the sound system. Rick Robinson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Robinson
vs
Polk

183 cm
31
178 lbs
22 - 12 - 0

178 cm
26
184 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rick Robinson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Polk!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Robinson throws a head kick but Polk moves out of range.
Polk shoots for a double leg takedown but Robinson sprawls well. He's pushed Polk's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Robinson swinging wildly here.
Horrible takedown by Polk or perhaps it was just good defense by Robinson which made him look bad.
Robinson tries a low kick but Polk avoids it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Polk is defended easily by Robinson.
Rick Robinson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Polk.
Polk tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Robinson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Polk looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Robinson is fending him off so far but Polk persists. Nope, Robinson circles away and we're back to standing.
Robinson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Polk.
Robinson looks for a takedown but Polk sprawls well.
Robinson looks for a takedown but Polk sprawls well.

Polk closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polk lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
You can see the frustration on Robinson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Robinson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Polk wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Polk wants to control but Robinson is keeping him busy.
Robinson is looking for a sweep.
Polk grinds an elbow into Robinson's temple.
Robinson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Polk's best efforts.
Robinson trying to hold on to Polk's head to control him but Polk postures up.
Polk missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Polk thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Polk missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Polk scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polk not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Robinson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Polk pulls his head out easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Robinson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Polk landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Polk is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Robinson gets full guard.

Robinson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Polk gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Polk accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Polk scoring with some ground and pound.

Robinson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Polk trying to control but Robinson is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polk connects with a couple of short punches.
Robinson looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Polk is working Robinson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Polk stands up over Robinson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Polk trying to control but Robinson is working from the bottom.

Robinson has his foot on Polk's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Polk works his way back into a safe position though.

Robinson working for submissions but it's allowed Polk to get to half guard.
Robinson is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Robinson is breathing heavily.
Polk is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Polk sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Robinson defending well though.
Polk working Robinson over with strikes.
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!

Polk is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Robinson tries to get to full guard but Polk has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robinson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Polk.
Robinson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Polk working the head and body with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Polk lands a nice short elbow.
Polk thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Robinson to regain full guard.
Polk is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Polk trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Robinson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Robinson keeping full guard, as Polk tries to pass.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Robinson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Robinson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Polk dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Robinson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Robinson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Robinson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
James Polk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Polk moves away from the strike by Robinson.
Polk shoots in but Robinson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Polk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Robinson swivels and escapes.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Polk checks a leg kick.
Polk fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Robinson avoids it really well and circles away.
Rick Robinson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Polk.
Robinson lands an overhand right.

Robinson gets caught napping as Polk dives in and scores a takedown. Robinson manages to retain guard.
Robinson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Robinson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Polk is aware though and is defending well.
Polk must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Robinson controls Polk momentarily but Polk frees himself.

Robinson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Polk landing some decent shots from guard.
Polk trying to control the position from guard on top but Robinson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Polk connects with a couple of short punches.
Polk throws a big right hand that misses.
Robinson working a defensive guard here.

Robinson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Robinson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Polk is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Robinson working for a triangle but Polk defends it easily.
Polk throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Robinson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Polk defends it easily.
Polk is working Robinson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Polk scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Polk with a nice head shot there.
Polk in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Polk with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robinson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Polk throwing strikes but missing.
Polk looking to pass the guard.

Robinson looking for a guillotine here but Polk defends easily.

Robinson has his foot on Polk's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Polk works his way back into a safe position though.
Polk postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Robinson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Polk defends well.
James Polk has got the better of the ground game so far.
Polk with a nice head shot there.
Polk works over Robinson with some ground and pound from guard.
Polk trying to control the position from guard on top but Robinson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Robinson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Polk works over Robinson with some ground and pound from guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Robinson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Polk working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Robinson's head.

Polk drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Polk jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Robinson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Polk doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Polk manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Polk stands up over Robinson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Polk postures up in Robinson's guard and throws a big left but Robinson blocks it.
Polk scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Robinson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Polk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Robinson as Polk shoots in.
Robinson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Polk fails with the takedown.
Rick Robinson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Polk.
Robinson takes a swing at Polk's ribcage but misses.
James Polk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Robinson looks for a takedown but Polk sprawls well.

Polk shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Polk stalling away here and it's allowed Robinson to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polk postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Polk throwing strikes but missing.

Robinson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Polk is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Robinson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Robinson regains half guard.
Robinson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Polk.
Polk lands with a punch from half guard.
Ground and pound from Polk.

Polk is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Robinson is just riding it out for now. Polk eventually gives up the hold.

Robinson looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polk is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Polk lands a nice short elbow.

Robinson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ground and pound from Polk.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Polk connects with a nice short shot to Robinson's temple.
Robinson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Polk.
Polk wants to take a breather but Robinson is having none of it.
Ground and pound from Polk.
Robinson trying to control but Polk postures up.
Rick Robinson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Polk looks to land a strike but Robinson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Robinson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Polk is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Polk trying to control the position from guard on top but Robinson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Polk throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Polk loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
James Polk is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Robinson being controlled here, momentarily.
Polk trying to control the position from guard on top but Robinson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Polk is looking to work some ground and pound but Robinson has wrist control.
Polk trying to control the position from guard on top but Robinson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Robinson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Polk gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polk wants to control from the top but Robinson keeps moving.

Robinson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Polk doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Polk manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Polk controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Polk's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Polk is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Robinson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Polk stands up over Robinson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Polk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Polk winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Polk!