PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Sergio Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bartholomew Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Souza
vs
Roberts

196 cm
42
240 lbs
29 - 18 - 0

194 cm
34
291 lbs
17 - 12 - 0

World class boxer
Granite chin

World class MT
Good gas tank

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 29 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sergio Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bartholomew Roberts!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Radbod Blank and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Souza takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like Sergio Souza has been cut.
Souza moves out of range as Roberts throws a body kick.
Souza throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Roberts sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Souza throws out a powerful jab.
Souza throws a nice outside leg kick.
Roberts fails to land with a series of punches.
Souza keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Souza lands with an uppercut that bounces Roberts off the ropes and back into range.
Roberts throws a push kick but Souza slaps the foot to one side.
Roberts lands a head kick. Souza smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Souza is looking to chop away at Roberts's legs.
Souza rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Roberts counters with a thumping low kick.
Roberts tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Souza manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roberts goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Souza was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Souza connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Roberts momentarily.
Souza feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Roberts's calf.
Souza lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Roberts fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Souza manages to avoid it.
Roberts throws a head kick that Souza semi-blocks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza tests Roberts's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Souza lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A looping hook to the body misses from Souza. Roberts does a little dance to reset his feet.
Roberts checks the leg kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Roberts misses.
Roberts has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Roberts jabs Souza right on the nose. Souza blinks but takes it well.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Roberts - that will leave a mark!
Roberts ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Souza lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Souza thows a left - swing and a miss!
Roberts lands a nice leg kick that just misses Souza's sensitive parts.
Roberts throws a big shot that misses.
Souza avoids the head kick by Roberts.
Souza throws a leg kick
and Roberts counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Souza connects with an inside leg kick.
Roberts misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roberts blocks the body kick.
Roberts throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Souza lands a nice hook to Roberts's body. Roberts takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Souza throws the left hand but Roberts avoids the punch easily.
Souza scores with a jab.
Souza feints and then cracks Roberts's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Roberts down.
Souza swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Roberts ducks under a wild hook from Souza.
Souza ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Roberts is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Souza rather than just go for the knockout.
Roberts tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Souza was well out of range. Poor timing from Roberts.
Roberts throws the left hand but Souza avoids the punch easily.
Both fighters circling a little - Souza finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Souza takes a swing at Roberts's ribcage but misses.
Roberts blocks a leg kick.
Roberts throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Souza.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza wants to land a leg kick but Roberts is out of range.
Souza uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Roberts has time to react.
Souza ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The fighters circling - Souza throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Souza sizes up Roberts with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Souza throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No joy there for Roberts, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Souza throws a leg kick
and Roberts counters with a good low kick that Souza was not able to check.
Roberts rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Souza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A little feinted left hand from Souza on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Roberts ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Souza moves away.
Roberts throws a body punch but Souza moves out of range.

Roberts has closed the distance and engaged Souza in a clinch.
Souza tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Roberts avoids it.
Souza is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Roberts is defending well for now.
Souza on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Roberts tries to land a knee to the head but Souza blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Roberts lands an elbow that stopped Souza in his tracks for a moment.
Souza misses with a body punch.
Souza blocks an elbow strike from Roberts.
Roberts blocks an uppercut.
Souza swings wildly with an uppercut but Roberts uses good head movement to avoid it.
Roberts misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Roberts pushes off an throws an elbow but Souza leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Roberts throws a knee to the head but misses.
Souza landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Souza gets through Roberts's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Roberts blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Souza throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Robertss head.
A short uppercut from Souza.
Souza scores with a shot to the side of Roberts's head.

Souza manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sergio Souza will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sergio Souza's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Souza fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Roberts looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Souza is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Roberts.
Roberts connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Souza scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A head kick misses from Roberts.
Roberts looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Souza connects with a looping right hand.
Roberts checks a low kick from Souza.
Roberts throws a head kick that misses.
Roberts tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sergio Souza is winning the standup battle so far.
Roberts swinging wildly here.
As Roberts looks to move away, Souza throws a big counter combo but Roberts just gets out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roberts swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Souza drops his hands momentarily and Roberts takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd cheers as Souza lands an impressive looking overhand right. Roberts doesn't seem phased though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roberts throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Souza lands a leg kick that knocks Roberts off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roberts drives through and clinches with Souza against the ropes.
Souza blocks a body shot from Roberts.
Souza missing with knees to the body.
Roberts takes a knee to the side of the body.
Souza is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Sergio Souza has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Roberts's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Souza tries to circle away but Roberts has him pinned against the ropes.

Roberts breaks from the clinch.
Souza slips a jab and a cross from Roberts.
Roberts takes one to the side of the head.
Roberts walks into a straight right hand from Souza.
Souza looks for the body kick but Roberts saw that one coming.
Roberts takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Souza pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Roberts blocks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Souza throws a half hearted mid kick.
Roberts looks to score with a jab to the body but Souza is just out of range.
Souza throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Souza feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Roberts's calf.
Roberts takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Souza cracks the inside of Roberts's front leg.
Souza wants to land a leg kick but Roberts is out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Roberts cracks Souza with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A head kick misses from Souza.
Roberts throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Roberts tries a head kick but it misses.
Souza throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Souza lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Roberts tries to land a front kick but Souza steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
It looks like Souza has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Roberts wants to clinch
and Souza counters with a series of strikes. Roberts will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts moves out of range as Souza strikes.
Souza avoids the head kick by Roberts.
Roberts throws a push kick but Souza slaps the foot to one side.
Souza cracks Roberts with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Souza throws a nice inside leg kick.
A head kick from Souza lands but Roberts takes it in his stride.
Roberts's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Souza attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Souza keeps the fight on the outside.
Souza lands a nice hook to Roberts's body. Roberts takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Roberts tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Roberts tries to clinch there but Souza circles away.
A head kick misses from Souza.
Souza is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Roberts can do to turn this around?
Crunch! Souza slams his shin into Roberts's torso.
Roberts misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Souza cracks the inside of Roberts's front leg.
Roberts shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Souza throws a quick inside leg kick.
Roberts moves out of range of the strikes.
Bartholomew Roberts is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Souza stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Souza jabs at Roberts's body.
Roberts takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Roberts tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Souza paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Roberts misses with the combination.
Souza connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Souza misses with an uppercut.
Souza lands a head kick. Roberts smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergio Souza dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sergio Souza's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Roberts avoids the head kick by Souza.
Souza looks to throw the jab but Roberts is out of range.
Roberts throws a leg kick but Souza checks it.
Souza throws a leg kick which misses Roberts's front leg but catches the back leg as Roberts tries to avoid it.
Roberts tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A slow jab from Roberts misses its intended target.
Roberts throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A telegraphed right hand from Souza misses the target.
And Roberts responds with a good body kick, but Souza manages to step out the way in time.
Souza scores with a body shot.
Roberts throws a sloppy head kick and Souza moves out of range easily.
Roberts throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Souza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Roberts.
Souza is looking to counter with a body kick.
Souza throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Roberts lands a leg kick that knocks Souza off balance momentarily.
Roberts throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Souza throws a leg kick which misses Roberts's front leg but catches the back leg as Roberts tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Souza paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Roberts tries a head kick but it misses.
Souza misses with a looping right.
A little jabbing left from Roberts on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A leg kick checked by Souza.
Souza looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Roberts takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Roberts throws a right and a left that Souza avoids nicely.
Souza throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Souza lands the left hand.
Souza moves into range and connects with a jab.
Souza swats away the attempt to clinch by Roberts.
Souza buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Souza works over Roberts's head and body with a nice combination.
Souza scores with a head kick. Roberts tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Bartholomew Roberts has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sergio Souza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Roberts misses with a double jab.
Souza cracks Roberts with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Roberts blocks a head kick by Souza.
Souza scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Roberts takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Roberts throws a lazy head kick
and Souza counters with a low kick, right behind Roberts 's knee.
A big right from Souza misses.
Roberts jabs Souza to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Roberts has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Souza moves out of range of the strikes.
Roberts takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Souza bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Roberts's head.
Crunch! Roberts slams his shin into Souza's torso.
Roberts tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Souza blocks a head kick by Roberts.
Roberts takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Souza lands an impressive looking overhand right. Roberts doesn't seem phased though.
Roberts throws a wild body kick that Souza sees coming a mile off.
Souza looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Souza dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Roberts. That did some damage!
Roberts takes a swing at Souza's ribcage but misses.
Roberts misses with a wild body shot.
Souza tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Roberts tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Souza counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Souza throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Souza throws a leg kick which misses Roberts's front leg but catches the back leg as Roberts tries to avoid it.
Souza thuds his right hand into Roberts's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Souza is looking to slow Roberts down with leg kicks.
Souza works over Roberts's head and body with a nice combination.
Some wild striking there from Souza.
Souza backing away here, and Roberts unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Souza connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Souza avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Roberts connects with a jab.
Souza throws a low kick but Roberts moves out of range easily.
Nice straight punches there by Souza. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Souza.
Roberts tries to clinch there but Souza circles away.
Souza went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Souza ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Souza cracks Roberts with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Roberts misses with an uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Souza throws a nice inside leg kick.
Roberts throws a series of punches but Souza avoids them all with ease.
Souza takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Roberts looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergio Souza showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Souza has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergio Souza!
A relieved looking Sergio Souza thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.