PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Condit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Rock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Condit
vs
Rock

186 cm
24
183 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

188 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Granite 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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Antonio Condit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bruce Rock!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Condit. No joy for Rock on that attempt.
Condit tries to bum rush Rock with a series of wild strikes but Rock uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Rock has closed the distance and engaged Condit in a clinch.
The referee calls for Rock to work.
Condit tries to break the clinch but Rock is controlling the position.

Rock manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Condit wants to control from the top but Rock keeps moving.
Rock seems keen to control Condit's posture.
Rock tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Condit drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rock looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rock looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rock!
Condit is trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Condit gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Condit is staying active underneath Rock, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rock really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Condit. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Condit wants to get back to his feet.
Rock is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Condit!

Rock moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Condit has worked his arm free - good work by Condit!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock wants to lay and pray for a moment but Condit keeps working.

Rock goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Condit rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rock's guard! Nice work there by Condit!
Rock wants to sweep here but Condit controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rock taking a breather here.
Condit wants to get back to his feet but Rock drags him back down.
The strikes coming from Rock are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Condit is pushing Rock's head away, looking to escape. Rock manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Condit is looking to reverse the position.
Rock trying to control the position but Condit is working away.
Rock controlling the position from side mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Condit wants to get back to his feet but Rock drags him back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Rock dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Condit stalks Rock and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rock's face. Rock staggers backwards, shaken.
Rock shoots in looking for a takedown but Condit manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rock's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Some wild striking there from Condit.
Rock slips a jab and a cross from Condit.

Condit moves into the clinch.
Rock wants a takedown but no success here.
Rock fails to pull guard.
Antonio Condit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruce Rock.
Rock goes for a takedown in the clinch but Condit prevents it.
Rock is looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock drops down looking for an ankle pick but Condit pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rock showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Condit.
Rock tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Condit swivels and escapes.

Condit gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Condit is pressed up against the ropes. Rock has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Condit down to the mat. Condit avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Condit falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rock moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Condit prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rock is breathing heavily.
Rock can't get the takedown.
Condit wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rock has him pressed against the ropes.
Condit wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rock goes for a takedown in the clinch but Condit prevents it.

Rock turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Condit wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
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!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Condit tries to buck Rock off but Rock is having none of it.
Condit is pushing Rock's head away, looking to escape. Rock manages to hold on to the position though.
Rock wants to lay and pray for a moment but Condit keeps working.

Rock goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Condit has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Rock but great work by Condit.
Condit working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Condit stands up.
Rock takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rock wants to clinch up but Condit keeps it at a distance.
Rock wants to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rock has his takedown stuffed
and Condit counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Condit dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rock shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Condit defends it nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Condit has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rock uses from the top position.
Rock throws a big elbow that misses.
Rock trying to control but Condit is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Condit can't keep his opponent in guard - Rock advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Rock is trying to work for a kimura but Condit is defending well.
Condit is trying to stand up here but Rock is controlling him well.

Condit actively working from the bottom here.
Condit is trying to stand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock trying to control from half guard but Condit is working away.

Condit is defending against the submission attempts here by Rock.

Rock is looking for a kimura but Condit is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rock to get the leverage.
Rock keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Condit looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rock is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Condit reverses the position - he's now on top in Rock's guard.
Condit looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rock wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Condit, who protects the arm well.
Condit sneaks back into half guard.

Rock is working for a kimura but Condit is defending it quite comfortably.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruce Rock comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rock has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruce Rock!
Bruce Rock seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.