PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Miyamoto Musashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Roofer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Roofer is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Jonesmann Feat. Azad - Der Soldat James Rhyme. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Musashi
vs
Roofer

178 cm
31
196 lbs
14 - 13 - 0

188 cm
30
194 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.
GREEN!160

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 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Miyamoto Musashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ben Roofer!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roofer fakes the leg kick and cracks Musashi in the body.
A solid body kick from Roofer.
Ben Roofer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Roofer lands a front kick.
Musashi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Roofer throws a head kick but Musashi moves out of range.
Roofer throws a lazy head kick
and Musashi counters with a left and a right that stings Roofer.
Roofer tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Musashi is able to avoid easily.
Musashi is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Roofer.

Musashi rushes Roofer and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Musashi is working for takedown but Roofer is calmly controlling the position for now.
Roofer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Roofer has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Roofer breaks from the clinch.
Musashi dives in and grabs Roofer's left leg, looking for a takedown. Roofer pushes down on Musashi's head and hops out.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Roofer lands with an overhand left.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Roofer.
A cross from Roofer lands.
Roofer throws out a loose jab but Musashi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Musashi checks a leg kick.
Musashi blocks a head kick by Roofer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Musashi darts in and clinches Roofer up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Musashi.
Musashi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Roofer gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miyamoto Musashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Musashi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Musashi is looking for a takedown.
Roofer tries a body shot but Musashi blocks it.
Roofer misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short left from Roofer.

Musashi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice defenses there by Musashi.
Musashi checks the leg kick.

Musashi gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Roofer breaks the clinch.
Roofer throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Musashi tries to counter by clinching up but Roofer breaks away and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Musashi is looking to clinch.
Musashi is looking to clinch.
Roofer throws out a counter right but Musashi avoids it with no problem.
Roofer throws the kick towards the body but Musashi avoids it.
Musashi misses the shot to the body.
Roofer misses with a body kick.
A clash of legs there as Musashi blocks the low kick.
Musashi tries for a takedown but Roofer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Musashi fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Roofer to the ground. Musashi is now in Roofer's guard.
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!
Musashi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Musashi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Musashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Roofer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Musashi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've been hearing that Musashi has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musashi trying to control but Roofer is working from the bottom.
Roofer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Musashi is one step ahead there.
Roofer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Musashi sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Roofer lands a nice looking body kick.
Musashi shoots in for a double leg but Roofer sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

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.

Musashi is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Roofer's half guard.
Musashi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Roofer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Roofer gets back to full guard.
Musashi won't allow Roofer to get back to his feet.
Musashi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Roofer dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Roofer misses with an attempted mid kick.
Musashi tries to clinch but Roofer moves out of range.
Roofer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Musashi's sensitive parts.
Roofer moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Roofer goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Musashi checks a leg kick.
Roofer misses with a head kick.
Ben Roofer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Roofer misses with a kick to the body.
Musashi jabs Roofer to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A clash of legs there as Musashi blocks the low kick.
Musashi blocks a low kick nicely.
Roofer throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roofer blocks the body kick.
Musashi fails to land the takedown.
Musashi lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Ben Roofer has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roofer throws a leg kick but Musashi checks it.

Musashi clinches with his opponent.
Musashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Roofer can't find room to land a body shot as Musashi controls the action.
Roofer is pressed up against the cage. Musashi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Roofer down to the mat. Roofer avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Musashi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miyamoto Musashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Musashi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Roofer avoids it really well and circles away.
Roofer feints and then cracks Musashi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Musashi down.
Roofer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Musashi doesn't manage to clinch there - Roofer circles away.
Musashi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roofer throws a big shot that misses.
It looked like Musashi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Musashi shoots in but no luck this time.
Ben Roofer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Roofer pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Musashi feints and as Roofer raises his hands in defense, Musashi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Musashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Roofer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Musashi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Roofer keeping moving, preventing Musashi from controlling successfully.
Musashi is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Roofer is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Roofer looking for a sweep. Not yet Roofer, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roofer keeping moving, preventing Musashi from controlling successfully.
Musashi has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Musashi won't allow Roofer to sweep him here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Musashi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Roofer manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Musashi has Roofer in his guard.

Roofer trying to control the position from guard on top but Musashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Roofer preventing the sweep.

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.
Musashi is looking to sweep but instead, Roofer has passed into half guard.
Musashi moves into full guard.
Musashi will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Musashi controls Roofer momentarily but Roofer frees himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Roofer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ben Roofer's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Musashi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Roofer avoids it really well and circles away.
Musashi blocks a head kick by Roofer.
Musashi checks a leg kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Musashi misses its target.
Musashi tries to clinch but Roofer is having none of it.
Musashi closes the distance and clinches up with Roofer, looking for a takedown. Musashi pushes Roofer against the cage but Roofer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Roofer leaves Musashi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Roofer only half commits to the counter leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miyamoto Musashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roofer thumps Musashi with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roofer blocks a leg kick.
Roofer looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Roofer throws a leg kick which misses Musashi's front leg but catches the back leg as Musashi tries to avoid it.
Musashi tries for a takedown but Roofer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Musashi is looking to clinch.
Roofer is looking to chop away at Musashi's legs.
Good work by Musashi as he checks the leg kick.
Roofer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Roofer tenderised Musashi's leg. Musashi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Musashi shoots in and drives through. Roofer sprawls well.
Musashi fails with the takedown.
Roofer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Musashi takes the fight into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Roofer fails to land.
Roofer working aggressively here.
Roofer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Roofer misses with the head strike.
Roofer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Roofer.
Musashi fails to pull guard.
Musashi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roofer scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Musashi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Roofer prevents it.
Roofer scores with a hook to the body.
Roofer misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Roofer working aggressively here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Roofer.
Roofer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Roofer keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Musashi's efforts to push away.
Musashi is trying to pull guard but Roofer turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Musashi tries to score a body lock takedown but Roofer shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roofer working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Roofer fails to land.
Roofer lands a hook to the side of the head.
Roofer misses with a punch on the inside.
Musashi can't get the takedown.

Musashi tightens his grip and picks Roofer up, before dumping him to the ground. Roofer manages to land in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Musashi won't allow Roofer to sweep him here.
Musashi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Roofer pulls Musashi in close to his closed guard and prevents Musashi from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Musashi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Musashi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Musashi preventing the sweep.
Musashi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Miyamoto Musashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ben Roofer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Musashi postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Roofer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Roofer.
Musashi shoots in for a takedown but Roofer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Roofer works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A decent looking cross lands there for Roofer.
Musashi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Roofer wants to land a leg kick but Musashi is out of range.
Musashi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Roofer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Roofer 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Ben Roofer!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Ben Roofer!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Ben Roofer!

Ben Roofer wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Ben Roofer made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.