PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Rocci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and CM Punk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Rocci
vs
Punk

170 cm
25
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mike Rocci!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, CM Punk!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Santiago Holmes and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rocci pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Rocci closes the distance and clinches.
Punk takes a shot to the head.
Rocci lands a nice elbow.
Punk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rocci smiles and moves away.

Rocci moves into the clinch successfully.
Punk is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rocci to keep the fight standing.
Rocci works on Punk's body with a couple of short punches.
Rocci gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Punk.
Mike Rocci has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of CM Punk.
Rocci lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Punk.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rocci.
A nice left hand lands by Rocci.
Punk can't get the takedown.
Rocci landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Punk looks winded!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Punk is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rocci is defending well.
Rocci crunches a lovely knee into Punk's ribcage.
Rocci creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Punk's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Rocci as the two fighters clinch.
Rocci unloads a knee to the mid-section. Punk lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Rocci creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Punk's defenses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rocci.
Rocci scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rocci connects with a knee to the head.
Rocci with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rocci landing knees to the body.
Rocci lands with a right to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rocci.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rocci lands an elbow just above Punk 's eye.
Knees to the body from Rocci.
Rocci scores a nice knee to the body.
Rocci scores with a knee to the head.
Rocci landing knees to the body.
Rocci lands an elbow inside that Punk shrugs off.
A short right from Rocci on the inside.
Nice body punch from Rocci.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocci lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rocci lands a right hand that snaps the head of Punk backwards.
Rocci is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Punk wants a takedown but no success here.
Rocci putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Punk in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rocci scores with a knee to the head.
Rocci works on Punk's body with a couple of short punches.
Rocci throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rocci is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rocci lands an elbow inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rocci.
Rocci landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rocci is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A short left from Rocci.
Rocci lands an uppercut.
Rocci lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Punk tries to pull guard but Rocci forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocci lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rocci is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Punk wants to take the fight to the mat but Rocci manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Rocci works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short left from Rocci.
Punk takes a shot to the head.
Rocci landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rocci gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rocci with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rocci digs a right hand into Punk's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Punk's gas tank.
Rocci is leaning against Punk and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Punk looking for a takedown.
Knees to the body from Rocci.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rocci lands with a short shot to the head.
Punk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rocci smiles and moves away.
Rocci throws a right hand that Punk ducks under and follows up with a left that Punk also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rocci closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rocci unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Rocci scores a nice knee to the body.
Rocci lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rocci lands a body punch in the clinch.
Punk tries to pull guard but Rocci won't allow it.
Rocci lands an elbow inside that Punk shrugs off.
Punk changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rocci fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Punk shoots in for a takedown but Rocci shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Rocci has taken the fight to the clinch.
Punk drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rocci gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rocci obliges.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice body punch from Rocci - that landed with a thud.
Punk is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rocci gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Rocci dominated that round.
That's time! Rocci's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rocci scores with a crisp jab that stopped Punk in his tracks.
Rocci moves in looking to clinch but Punk pushes him off.
Mike Rocci seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rocci leaves Punk with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rocci misses with a series of wild punches.
Rocci looks to score with a jab to the body but Punk is just out of range.
Punk shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rocci defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocci tries to close the distance and clinch up but Punk swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Punk fails with a takedown attempt.
Mike Rocci has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of CM Punk.
Rocci's corner calls for a 1-2. Rocci obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocci wants to clinch.
Punk keeps the fight on the outside.
Punk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rocci swivels and escapes.
Rocci throws a looping overhand right but Punk ducks down to avoid it.
Rocci tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Punk manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Punk takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rocci lands a nice shot to the body.
Rocci lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rocci lands a knee to the body.
Punk is breathing heavily.
A short body shot lands from Rocci as the two fighters clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Punk jumps guard but Rocci stands there with Punk around his waist. Punk gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Punk goes for a takedown attempt but Rocci pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Rocci clinches up with Punk and pushes him back against the cage.
Rocci scores with a knee to the head.
Rocci lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
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!
Punk is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rocci pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mike Rocci has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rocci landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rocci lands an elbow that stopped Punk in his tracks for a moment.
Rocci lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rocci softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rocci lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rocci lands a shot to the body.
Punk's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rocci is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Punk can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Rocci.
Punk takes a shot to the head.
Punk is trying to drag Rocci to the mat but Rocci just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rocci lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rocci lands a nice elbow.
Rocci lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Punk backwards.
Rocci scores with a hook to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Rocci.
Rocci connects with a knee to the head.
Rocci lands a right hand.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rocci obliges.
A right hand to the body from Rocci.
Rocci working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rocci makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rocci lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Punk backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocci lands a left hand that snaps the head of Punk backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Rocci.
Punk tries to pull guard but Rocci forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Punk takes a knee to the side of the body.
A knee to the head by Rocci.
Punk is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rocci gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rocci working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rocci lands a nice elbow.
Punk jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rocci walks away with a smile on his face. Punk gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A solid body kick from Rocci.

Punk gets tackled into the cage by Rocci. Rocci maintains the clinch.
Good body shot from Rocci.
Rocci lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Punk is trying to pull guard but Rocci has him pressed against the cage.
Rocci lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rocci lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Rocci dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rocci tries to clinch but Punk is having none of it.
Rocci throws a series of punches but Punk avoids them all with ease.
Punk tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Punk fails with a takedown attempt.
Punk blocks the body kick.
Punk fails with a takedown attempt.
Rocci swings for the body but Punk moves out of range.
Punk changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rocci tries to avoid it but Punk manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rocci to the ground. Rocci escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mike Rocci has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of CM Punk.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rocci has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rocci works on Punk's body with a couple of short punches.
Rocci throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rocci scores with a nice hook to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Rocci.
Punk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocci lands a shot to the body.
Rocci lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rocci lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Punk.
Rocci lands a knee to the body.
Rocci lands a knee to the body.
Rocci digs a right hand underneath Punk's ribcage. Punk let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rocci lands a left hand that snaps the head of Punk backwards.
Rocci working Punk over with knees to the body.
Rocci landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rocci putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Punk in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rocci digs a right hand underneath Punk's ribcage. Punk let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Punk takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rocci connects with a nasty looking knee right to Punk's face.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rocci landing knees to the head.
Punk is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rocci pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rocci lands a nice knee to the body.
Rocci works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Punk goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rocci prevents it.
Punk has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rocci after a bit of a struggle.
A nice left hand lands by Rocci.
Punk has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rocci avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rocci lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Punk takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rocci lands a good knee to the midsection. Punk won't want to take too many of those.
Rocci landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Punk jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rocci walks away with a smile on his face. Punk gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rocci looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Punk fails with the takedown.
Rocci connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Punk's hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Punk avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Punk shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rocci keeping full guard, as Punk tries to pass.
Punk trying to control but Rocci is working from the bottom.
Punk passes Rocci's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
CM Punk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Punk has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Punk looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Rocci knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Punk on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Punk with the ground and pound from mount.
Punk has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Punk is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Punk is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Rocci can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Punk trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Punk lands a couple of good shots and Rocci has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rocci wants to get back to his feet.
Punk punches Rocci on the ear.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Rocci showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rocci, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 30:25
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:25
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Rocci!
A very excited looking Mike Rocci 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.