PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Christian Striker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Rotch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Striker kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Rising Force. Rotch has chosen Why Cant we be Friends-War as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Striker
vs
Rotch

187 cm
23
198 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
219 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Crazy Monkey Nutrition
▲Steel Penn Fight Gear - $9 Or Less

Punishment Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christian Striker!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Rotch!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Striker on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Striker closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rotch pushes Striker away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Striker gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Rotch avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Striker.
Striker looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Rotch is avoiding damage well.
Rotch is pushing Striker's head away, looking to escape. Striker manages to hold on to the position though.
Striker tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Striker wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rotch keeps working.
An elbow from Striker crashes against the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striker throwing strikes but Rotch manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Striker misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rotch rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Striker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Striker fails with the takedown.
Rotch tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Striker was well out of range. Poor timing from Rotch.
Rotch fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Striker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rotch but Rotch pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christian Striker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Striker is defended easily by Rotch.
Mike Rotch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Striker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rotch circles away.

Striker scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rotch is looking to escape.
Striker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Striker not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rotch wants to stand back up but Striker manages to pass into side control.
Rotch is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Striker is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rotch takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Striker working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Striker working the ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rotch is pushing Striker's head away, looking to escape. Striker manages to hold on to the position though.
Striker working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Rotch managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Striker.
Striker throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Rotch works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Striker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Striker not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Striker dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A punch combination from Rotch misses.
Striker tries for a takedown but Rotch sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Striker uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rotch.
Rotch throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Striker here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Rotch misses with a wild combination.
Striker shoots in and drives through. Rotch sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rotch rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Striker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Striker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rotch swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christian Striker. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striker shoots in but Rotch avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Striker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rotch.
Rotch throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Striker sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Christian Striker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rotch rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Striker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Striker darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Striker trying to control from Rotch's half guard. Rotch has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Striker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rotch preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Striker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Striker throws a big right hand that misses.
Striker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Striker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Striker postures up in Rotch's guard and throws a big left but Rotch blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rotch throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Striker dodges the punch combination from Rotch.
Rotch misses with a series of wild punches.

Striker darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Striker missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Striker 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Striker misses with a head shot. Rotch uses the momentum to regain guard.
Striker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Striker keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rotch's head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rotch wants to stand and escape but Striker is having none of it.
Rotch working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Striker.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Striker dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rotch will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No luck for Striker with that takedown attempt.
Striker slips a jab and a cross from Rotch.
Rotch misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rotch tries to bum rush Striker with a series of wild strikes but Striker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck for Striker with that takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Striker or perhaps it was just good defense by Rotch which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christian Striker. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Rotch misses.
Horrible takedown by Striker or perhaps it was just good defense by Rotch which made him look bad.
Horrible takedown by Striker or perhaps it was just good defense by Rotch which made him look bad.
Rotch misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Striker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rotch throws a right and a left that Striker avoids nicely.
Striker closes the distance and clinches up with Rotch, looking for a takedown. Striker pushes Rotch against the cage but Rotch circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Striker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rotch sprawls well. Rotch wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Striker gets slowly back to his feet.
Rotch throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Striker.
Rotch moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Striker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rotch swivels and escapes.
Rotch misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rotch leaves Striker with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rotch lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Striker circles away quickly and effectively.
Christian Striker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rotch misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rotch defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Striker.
Rotch stuffs the takedown attempt from Striker. Striker gets slowly back to his feet.
Rotch rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Striker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Striker fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rotch misses with the combination.
A punch combination from Rotch misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rotch lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Striker circles away quickly and effectively.
Rotch looks to land a combination. Striker sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rotch fails to land with a series of punches.
Rotch throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rotch misses with a few strikes there.
Rotch takes a swing at Striker's ribcage but misses.
Striker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rotch sprawls well. Rotch wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Striker gets slowly back to his feet.
Striker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rotch sprawls well. Rotch wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Striker gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Striker shoots in but Rotch avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christian Striker. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rotch looks to land a combination but Striker avoids it well.
Rotch lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Striker circles away quickly and effectively.
Striker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rotch lands a lovely overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rotch pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rotch misses with a body shot.
Rotch throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rotch lands a jab-cross combination.
Rotch misses with the combination.
Rotch scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rotch lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Striker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rotch sprawls well. Rotch wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Striker gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rotch throws a nice looking combination but Striker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rotch dips to his left and cracks Striker with an uppercut!
Rotch stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rotch wants it to stay on the feet.
Striker shoots in for a takedown but Rotch shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rotch lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Striker circles away quickly and effectively.
Striker dodges the punch combination from Rotch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Striker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rotch swivels and escapes.
Horrible takedown by Striker or perhaps it was just good defense by Rotch which made him look bad.
Rotch misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rotch swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rotch swinging wildly here.
Rotch misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Rotch dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Horrible takedown by Striker or perhaps it was just good defense by Rotch which made him look bad.
Rotch throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rotch displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Striker.
Striker shoots in for a takedown but Rotch shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christian Striker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rotch throws a series of punches but Striker moves out of range.
Rotch misses the shot to the body.
Rotch throws a series of punches but Striker avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rotch stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rotch wants it to stay on the feet.
Rotch stuffs the takedown attempt from Striker. Striker gets slowly back to his feet.
Rotch throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rotch misses with a double jab.
Striker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rotch is fending him off so far but Striker persists. Nope, Rotch circles away and we're back to standing.
Rotch misses with a wild combination.
Striker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rotch but Rotch pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two 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.
Rotch misses with a two punch combination.
Striker shoots in for a takedown but Rotch shows good takedown defense.
Rotch misses with a jab, cross combination.
No joy there for Rotch, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rotch. Striker does a little dance to reset his feet.
Striker fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rotch thows a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Striker drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rotch is looking to stand up but Striker isn't so interested in that idea.
Striker throws a big right hand that misses.
Striker throws a strike but Rotch rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rotch stands up and waves to Striker to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Rotch. No joy for Striker on that attempt.

Striker shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Striker sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rotch defending well though.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike Rotch.
I think Rotch 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 George Francis scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 48:48
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a draw!