PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Glen Hoddle (ranked 42 p4p, 27 weight class) and Oliver Robson (ranked 6 p4p, 5 weight class). Oliver Robson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hoddle
vs
Robson

175 cm
35
170
18 - 9 - 0

183 cm
30
172
23 - 6 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

30th Century Beer Store
NARCOS

NARCOS
Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Glen Hoddle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Oliver Robson!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Chris Edwards and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Robson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Robson 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.
Hoddle avoids a punch combination nicely.
Robson cracks a nice hook into Hoddle's ribs.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
An inside leg kick lands from Robson.
Robson lands a lovely overhand right.
Hoddle misses with a hook. Robson ducked under it nicely.
Robson throws a hook to the side of Hoddle's head but Hoddle sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hoddle misses with a straight left.
Hoddle chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Robson can pounce on him.
Hoddle 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.
Good work by Hoddle as he checks the leg kick.
Hoddle is looking to counter with head kicks.
Robson connects with a right hand. Hoddle shakes it off.
Hoddle misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hoddle is looking to land body kicks.
Robson scores with a shot to the body.
Robson lands a nice looking body shot.
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!

Hoddle closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Robson quickly recovers to half guard.
Robson is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Robson keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robson gets back to full guard.
Robson has control of Hoddle's left arm, preventing Hoddle from doing any damage.
Hoddle postures up.
Hoddle is looking to work some ground and pound but Robson has wrist control.
Hoddle stays in close to Robson's body and controls the position.
Hoddle with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hoddle working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Robson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Robson keeping moving, preventing Hoddle from controlling successfully.
Hoddle lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hoddle connects with a couple of short punches.
Hoddle is looking to work some ground and pound but Robson has wrist control.
Hoddle 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.
Hoddle wants to control from the top but Robson keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoddle postures up.
Hoddle is looking to work some ground and pound but Robson has wrist control.
Robson keeping moving, preventing Hoddle from controlling successfully.
Hoddle stopping the sweep attempt from Robson.
Hoddle prevents Robson from getting back to his feet.
Robson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hoddle accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hoddle tries to free his leg and advance position but Robson is retaining full guard.
Hoddle postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hoddle postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Robson wants to sweep but no luck.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Robson holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoddle lands a couple of digs.
Hoddle makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Robson seems keen to control Hoddle's posture.
Hoddle postures up in Robson's guard and throws a big left but Robson blocks it.
Robson wants to sweep here but Hoddle controlling him for the moment.
Hoddle controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hoddle wants to control from the top but Robson keeps moving.
Hoddle throwing strikes but missing.
Hoddle wants to control from the top but Robson keeps moving.
Robson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Robson keeping full guard, as Hoddle tries to pass.
Robson has Hoddle pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoddle keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Robson's head.
Robson is pulling down on Hoddle's head to control his posture.
Hoddle landing some decent shots from guard.
Robson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hoddle lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Robson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hoddle is pushing down on Robson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Robson is fighting to maintain full guard but Hoddle has managed to sneak the leg through.
Robson is controlling Hoddle's trapped leg to prevent Hoddle from advancing to side control.
Hoddle throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Robson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hoddle not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Robson tries to roll over but Hoddle keeps him under control.
Hoddle is controlling the pace.
Hoddle lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Glen Hoddle dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hoddle chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Robson staying out of range there.
Robson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A jab lands there for Robson.
Robson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hoddle misses with a takedown attempt - Robson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Hoddle looking to score a takedown here. Robson is defending well but Hoddle drives through and ends up in Robson's guard.
Hoddle postures up.
Robson wants to sweep but no luck.
Robson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hoddle.
Hoddle works over Robson with some ground and pound from guard.
Hoddle won't allow Robson to sweep him here.
Glen Hoddle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hoddle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Robson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hoddle trying to control the position from guard on top but Robson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hoddle looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Robson wants to sweep but no luck.
Hoddle trying to control but Robson is working from the bottom.
Hoddle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Robson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Robson trying to control the position here.
Hoddle postures up.
Hoddle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Robson has his hands on Hoddle's head, controlling the position.
Hoddle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hoddle trying to control the position from guard on top but Robson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hoddle preventing the sweep.
Robson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hoddle working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Robson's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Robson keeping moving, preventing Hoddle from controlling successfully.
Hoddle in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Robson looking for a sweep. Not yet Robson, not yet.
Hoddle wants to control from the top but Robson keeps moving.
Robson is trying to keep Hoddle in close.
Robson keeping full guard, as Hoddle tries to pass.
Hoddle controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hoddle stands up over Robson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hoddle is looking to work some ground and pound but Robson has wrist control.
Hoddle trying to control but Robson is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoddle connects with a couple of short punches.
Robson wants to sweep here but Hoddle controlling him for the moment.
Robson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hoddle not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hoddle keeping full guard, as Robson tries to pass.

Robson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hoddle has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Robson has managed to get both his arms back between Hoddle's legs - danger averted.
Robson stopping the sweep attempt from Hoddle.

Hoddle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Robson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Robson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Robson wants to control from the top but Hoddle keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Robson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Robson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hoddle controlling Robson's posture.
Robson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Robson tries to move to mount but Hoddle blocks the move with his legs.
Robson trying to control the position but Hoddle is working away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Glen Hoddle dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Hoddle fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Robson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hoddle lands a nice shot to the body.
A jab from Hoddle misses.
Robson moves out of range as Hoddle throws a body kick.
Robson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hoddle tries to land a front kick but Robson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Robson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Robson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hoddle explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Robson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Robson throws a leg kick but Hoddle sees it coming and checks it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Robson catches Hoddle with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hoddle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A countering left hand to the body from Robson misses.

Hoddle gets the takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hoddle creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Robson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Hoddle in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hoddle in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hoddle wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
You can see the frustration on Robson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hoddle looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Robson is avoiding damage well.
Hoddle wants to lay and pray for a moment but Robson keeps working.
Robson is trying to control Hoddle's posture but Hoddle avoids it.
Hoddle landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Robson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Robson is trying to control the action in half guard but Hoddle is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Robson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Hoddle looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hoddle actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Robson seems content to control.
Hoddle wants to improve his position but Robson is controlling well.
Hoddle keeping hold of Robson's head, controlling as best he can.
Still in half guard, Robson seems content to control.
Hoddle is trying to maintain the position but Robson is very close to passing his half guard.
Robson is controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoddle tries to get to full guard but Robson has control of the leg.

Hoddle looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hoddle looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hoddle is looking to control Robson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hoddle avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hoddle won't allow Robson to pass to mount.
Hoddle is trying to get back to full guard.
Hoddle is looking to control Robson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hoddle avoid being mounted?

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hoddle is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Robson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hoddle throws a head kick that misses.
Robson lands a head shot.
Hoddle shoots in for a takedown but Robson shows good takedown defense.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Robson! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Glen Hoddle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Robson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Robson. That's going to slow Hoddle down.
Hoddle uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Robson.
Hoddle throws a looping overhand right but Robson ducks down to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Oliver Robson just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hoddle throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Robson on the side of the head.
Robson lands with a straight right. Hoddle didn't see that one coming.
Hoddle takes a swing at Robson's ribcage but misses.
Robson only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Robson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hoddle on the side of the head.
A big left from Hoddle misses.
Robson swats away the attempt to clinch by Hoddle.
Hoddle misses with a straight right.
Robson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Robson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hoddle manages to avoid it.
Robson lands a jab to the nose.
Hoddle doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Robson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hoddle.
Robson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hoddle sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hoddle throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Robson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hoddle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Robson. Hoddle does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hoddle dives in and grabs Robson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Robson pushes down on Hoddle's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Robson. Beautiful body shot.
Hoddle takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Robson just misses with a punch to the body.
Hoddle on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hoddle shoots in for a takedown but Robson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hoddle connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Robson's hands.
Oliver Robson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hoddle has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hoddle there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hoddle is trying hard to land a takedown here. Robson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Glen Hoddle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Robson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Robson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Hoddle swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hoddle tries to clinch there but Robson circles away.

Hoddle dives in and scores a takedown into Robson's guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Robson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Robson wants to sweep but no luck.
Hoddle lands a couple of digs.
Robson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Robson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hoddle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Robson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Robson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hoddle's guard.

Robson trying to control but Hoddle is working from the bottom.

Hoddle throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Robson looking to pass the guard.
Robson trying to control the position from guard on top but Hoddle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Robson controlling from the top position.

Hoddle throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robson content to stall in guard here.
Hoddle is trying to control the position but Robson postures up.
Hoddle keeping moving, preventing Robson from controlling successfully.
Hoddle trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hoddle keeping full guard, as Robson tries to pass.
Robson being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hoddle checks the leg kick.
Robson moves away from the strike by Hoddle.
Robson throws out a counter right but Hoddle avoids it with no problem.
A looping hook to the body misses from Robson. Hoddle does a little dance to reset his feet.
It looked like Hoddle was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Robson.
Robson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Robson throws a leg kick but Hoddle checks it.
Hoddle throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Robson lands with a cross.
Hoddle tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Robson swivels and escapes.
Hoddle gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hoddle looks for the body kick but Robson saw that one coming.
Robson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hoddle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Robson manages to avoid it.
Robson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A jab from Hoddle finds it's way through Robson's defenses.
Robson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hoddle slips under a jab from Robson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Oliver Robson dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Robson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hoddle tries to clinch but Robson is having none of it.
Hoddle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hoddle walks into a straight right hand from Robson.
Robson connects with a leg kick.
Hoddle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Robson enables Hoddle to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Robson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Robson has his feet on Hoddle's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
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!
Nice body punch from Robson.
A left lands for Robson.
Hoddle goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Robson jabs Hoddle to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Robson fails to land with a series of punches.
Hoddle tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Robson throws a low kick but Hoddle moves out of range easily.
Nice defenses there by Robson.
It seemed like Robson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoddle throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Robson counters with a nice uppercut.
Robson lands an overhand right.
Hoddle on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Robson lands a jab.
Hoddle misses with a hook.
Hoddle misses with a straight left.
Robson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hoddle tries to land a front kick but Robson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hoddle shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Robson but Robson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hoddle.
Both fighters circling a little - Hoddle finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
The crowd cheers as Robson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hoddle doesn't seem phased though.
Robson throws a body shot but no joy.
Hoddle is trying hard to land a takedown here. Robson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Robson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Oliver Robson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoddle throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Robson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Robson moves out of range as Hoddle strikes.
Robson flicks out a counter leg kick but Hoddle steps away.
Robson slips under a jab from Hoddle.
Robson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Robson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hoddle scores with a kick to the body.
Hoddle misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hoddle is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hoddle throws the left hand but Robson avoids the punch easily.
Hoddle tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Robson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hoddle tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Robson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hoddle misses with a takedown attempt - Robson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Glen Hoddle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Robson scores with a punch to the head.
Hoddle throws a looping overhand right but Robson ducks down to avoid it.
Robson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A telegraphed right hand from Hoddle misses the target.
Robson doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Robson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hoddle throws a hook but Robson blocks it.
Robson with a hook.
Robson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Hoddle under the eye.

Hoddle fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Robson to the ground. Hoddle is now in Robson's guard.
Robson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hoddle throwing strikes but missing.
Hoddle throwing strikes from guard but Robson blocks nicely.
Hoddle trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hoddle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Robson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Robson is pulling down on Hoddle's head to control his posture.
Hoddle scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hoddle trying to control but Robson is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Robson holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoddle lands a couple of digs.
Hoddle in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Robson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hoddle.
Robson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hoddle wants to control but Robson is keeping busy.

Hoddle looking for submissions off his back.
Hoddle is trying to maintain the position but Robson is very close to passing his half guard.
Robson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Hoddle is trying is best to control the position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oliver Robson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Robson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 48:47
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 47:48
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Oliver Robson!
Oliver Robson is the new welterweight champion!
A very excited looking Oliver Robson 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.