PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Elliot Rockwell (ranked 3426 p4p, 375 weight class) and Dre Battle (ranked 1954 p4p, 239 weight class). Battle has chosen Knockout - Yung Gravy as his entrance music. 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?

Rockwell
vs
Battle

185 cm
22
188 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

186 cm
22
191 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Elliot Rockwell !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dre Battle!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Joseph Jones and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Battle has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Battle there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rockwell tries a head kick but it misses.
Battle slips under a jab from Rockwell .
A jab from Rockwell misses.
Battle lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rockwell circles away quickly and effectively.
Rockwell scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rockwell misses with an uppercut. Battle saw that one coming.
Rockwell has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Battle throws a one two combo.
Rockwell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A head kick by Rockwell misses

and Battle counters by clinching up.
Rockwell blocking some punches.
Rockwell blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rockwell is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Battle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockwell works on Battle's body with a couple of short punches.
Rockwell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Battle's elbow.
Battle fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rockwell lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Battle working aggressively here.
Battle lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short right from Battle.
Rockwell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rockwell misses with a punch to the body.
Rockwell lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Battle or not.
Battle lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rockwell prevents the takedown attempt.
Rockwell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rockwell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Battle tries to throw a body punch but Rockwell avoids it by throwing Battle back against the cage.
Rockwell throws a punch but it's blocked by Battle.
A head punch on the inside from Battle fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Battle or not.
Battle fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Battle misses with the head strike.
Battle misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Battle.
Battle misses with a hook to the ribs.
Battle lands with a short shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Battle is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Battle lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Battle keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rockwell 's efforts to push away.
Rockwell scores with a nice hook to the head.
Battle tries for a takedown but Rockwell manages to get underhooks.
Rockwell lands a body shot.
Battle throws a head punch that misses.
Battle lands a right hand.
Battle prevents a body shot from Rockwell .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell lands a right hand that snaps the head of Battle backwards.
Rockwell misses with a body punch.
Rockwell can't break the clinch.
Battle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rockwell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Battle's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rockwell .
Rockwell lands with a right to the head.

Battle successfully pulls guard.
Battle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rockwell is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Battle trying to keep a closed guard but Rockwell is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell won't allow Battle to sweep him here.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Rockwell engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Battle is on top in guard.

Rockwell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Battle throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice body punch from Rockwell .
Rockwell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Battle.
Battle slips a straight right by Rockwell .

Battle closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rockwell is not content to let Battle control the position.

Rockwell is defending against the submission attempts here by Battle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Battle throwing shots but Rockwell is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockwell is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Battle scores with a couple of nice shots.
Battle missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rockwell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Battle trying to control from half guard but Rockwell is working away.
Rockwell has hold of Battle's hands but Battle slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Battle not doing much here.
Rockwell tries to get to full guard but Battle has control of the leg.
Battle has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell keeping control of the position.
Battle passes to side control.
Rockwell is working to avoid the ground and pound but Battle connects with a decent elbow.
Battle working the body and head with strikes.
Battle throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Battle trying to control the position but Rockwell is working away.
Dre Battle has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rockwell sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Battle is trying to control. Rockwell wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Battle not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rockwell is trying to maintain the position but Battle is very close to passing his half guard.
Battle trying to mount his opponent but Rockwell defends it.
Battle sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rockwell defending well though.
Battle has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
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. Battle connects with a nice short shot to Rockwell 's temple.
Rockwell is trying to control but can't.

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.
Battle missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rockwell is not content to let Battle control the position.
Battle is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Battle missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Battle thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The fighters are battling for position here. Rockwell manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Battle landing some decent shots from guard.
Battle passes Rockwell 's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dre Battle showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Rockwell misses with a head kick.
Rockwell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Elliot Rockwell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Battle darts in looking for a takedown but Rockwell gets double underhooks and turns Battle into the cage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Battle. Rockwell does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rockwell throws a sloppy head kick and Battle moves out of range easily.
Battle shoots for a double leg takedown but Rockwell sprawls well. He's pushed Battle's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Battle thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Battle avoids the body shot from Rockwell .
Rockwell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fighters circling - Battle throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Battle misses with a straight right.
Rockwell with a jab.
Rockwell misses with a leg kick

and Battle counters with a single leg into guard. Rockwell didn't expect that.
Rockwell preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rockwell keeping moving, preventing Battle from controlling successfully.
Rockwell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Battle works over Rockwell with some ground and pound from guard.
Rockwell is trying to control the position but Battle postures up.
Elliot Rockwell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battle trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Battle trying to control but Rockwell is working from the bottom.
Rockwell keeping full guard, as Battle tries to pass.
Battle postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Battle throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rockwell misses with an uppercut

and Battle holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rockwell takes a shot to the head.
Battle swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dre Battle seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rockwell looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Battle fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Battle.
Battle has a couple of punches blocked by Rockwell .
Rockwell is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Battle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rockwell tries a body shot but Battle blocks it.
Battle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nice body punch from Rockwell - that landed with a thud.
Battle throws a punch but it's blocked by Rockwell .
Battle gets through Rockwell 's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Battle misses with some punches.
Battle has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Rockwell seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Battle can turn it around.
Battle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Battle misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rockwell .
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rockwell .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Rockwell fails to land.
Battle misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Battle.
Rockwell lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rockwell effectively controlling the action here.
Battle is leaning against Rockwell and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Dre Battle is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Battle blocks a body shot from Rockwell .
Rockwell digs a right hand into Battle's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Battle's gas tank.
Rockwell is trying to break free.
Rockwell misses with a punch to the body.
Battle tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A body shot lands from Rockwell .
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rockwell is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Battle prevents a body shot from Rockwell .

And that's the end of the fight!
Dre Battle comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Battle 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dre Battle!
During a confident post fight interview, Dre Battle thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.