PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Max Sharkhausen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Rogers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steve Rogers told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Sharkhausen
vs
Rogers

185 cm
19
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Max Sharkhausen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Rogers!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Steve Erwin and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rogers gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Sharkhausen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sharkhausen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rogers at a distance.

Rogers clinches with his opponent.
Sharkhausen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rogers has him pressed against the cage.
Rogers looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sharkhausen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rogers is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sharkhausen struggles to land a body shot inside as Rogers controls his hands.
Sharkhausen is looking to break free of the clinch but Rogers has double underhooks.

Sharkhausen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sharkhausen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rogers manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sharkhausen is defended easily by Rogers.
Rogers looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sharkhausen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rogers takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rogers uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sharkhausen.
Sharkhausen cracks Rogers with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rogers is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sharkhausen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Max Sharkhausen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Rogers.
Sharkhausen tests Rogers's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Steve Rogers has been cut.

Rogers moves into the clinch.

Rogers pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sharkhausen shoots in but no luck this time.
Rogers misses with a body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rogers.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rogers. Sharkhausen does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sharkhausen shoots in for a takedown but Rogers shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sharkhausen scores with a head kick.
Rogers misses with a combination
and Sharkhausen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Sharkhausen moves into range and clinches up with Rogers.
Sharkhausen is trying to break the clinch but Rogers has him pressed against the cage.
Sharkhausen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rogers holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Sharkhausen has a couple of punches blocked by Rogers.
Sharkhausen tries to land a knee to the head but Rogers blocks with his arms.
Rogers is trying desperately to land a takedown but Sharkhausen is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Rogers.
Sharkhausen misses with a short punch on the inside.

Sharkhausen breaks from the clinch.

Rogers pushes Sharkhausen up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sharkhausen tries to break the clinch but Rogers is controlling the position.

Rogers breaks the clinch.
Steve Rogers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rogers drives through and clinches with Sharkhausen against the cage.
Sharkhausen tries to circle away but Rogers has him pinned against the cage.
Rogers stalls.
Sharkhausen tries to break free but Rogers pushes him back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Sharkhausen.
Sharkhausen working hard to break the clinch.

Rogers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sharkhausen ducks under a wild hook from Rogers.
Rogers closes the distance and clinches up with Sharkhausen, looking for a takedown. Rogers pushes Sharkhausen against the cage but Sharkhausen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sharkhausen is looking to clinch but Rogers is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sharkhausen.
Rogers walks into a left hand.
Rogers leaves Sharkhausen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sharkhausen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sharkhausen wants it to stay on the feet.
Rogers tries to clinch
and Sharkhausen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. 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!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sharkhausen is defended easily by Rogers.

Rogers feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rogers trying to control but Sharkhausen is working from the bottom.

Sharkhausen throws his legs up looking for a submission but Rogers uses it to pass to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Sharkhausen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Rogers's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rogers misses with an uppercut. Sharkhausen saw that one coming.
Rogers is looking to clinch.
Sharkhausen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sharkhausen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rogers.
Rogers rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sharkhausen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rogers doesn't manage to clinch there - Sharkhausen circles away.
A combination from Rogers does no damage.
Rogers tries to clinch but Sharkhausen moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rogers looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rogers misses with the combination.
Rogers throws an off balance right hand
and Sharkhausen counters with a nice body shot.
Sharkhausen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sharkhausen throws a leg kick which misses Rogers's front leg but catches the back leg as Rogers tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharkhausen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rogers tries to avoid it but Sharkhausen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rogers to the ground. Rogers escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sharkhausen scores with a nice strike.
Rogers throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sharkhausen's waist but Sharkhausen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rogers off to one side.
Rogers is breathing heavily.
Sharkhausen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Sharkhausen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rogers takes a kick to the side of the head.

Rogers shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rogers showed some decent athleticism there.
Rogers not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sharkhausen tries to kick Rogers off but Rogers keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sharkhausen is trying to control but can't.
Sharkhausen is trying to stand up here but Rogers is controlling him well.
Rogers not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sharkhausen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rogers is working away from the top position though.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rogers trying to control from half guard but Sharkhausen is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rogers moves forwards but Sharkhausen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nice shot lands for Sharkhausen.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sharkhausen.
Sharkhausen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rogers.
Rogers tries to close the distance and clinch but Sharkhausen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Sharkhausen closes the distance and clinches.
Sharkhausen is looking to control Rogers's arms but Rogers gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sharkhausen has his back to the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sharkhausen manages to break the clinch.
Rogers connects with a body shot that sends Sharkhausen's belly button to the back.
Rogers stuffs the takedown attempt from Sharkhausen. Sharkhausen gets slowly back to his feet.
Max Sharkhausen is winning the standup battle so far.
A combination from Rogers does no damage.

Sharkhausen moves into range and clinches up with Rogers.
Sharkhausen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sharkhausen stops a takedown attempt from Rogers.
Sharkhausen throws a head punch that misses.
Sharkhausen tries to break the clinch but Rogers is controlling the position.
Rogers tries to break free but Sharkhausen pushes him back against the cage.
Rogers wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rogers keeps control of Sharkhausen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogers prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rogers tries to score a body lock takedown but Sharkhausen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sharkhausen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rogers's elbow.

Sharkhausen jumps guard and drags Rogers to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Sharkhausen looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rogers has picked Sharkhausen up and slammed him! Sharkhausen can't keep hold of the triangle and Rogers manages to pass to side control!
Sharkhausen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rogers wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sharkhausen misses with an elbow from the bottom.
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!
Rogers lands a decent elbow from side control.
Rogers is putting a hurting on Sharkhausen here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sharkhausen can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sharkhausen tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Rogers is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Rogers gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Rogers gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Rogers apologises and we restart here on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Sharkhausen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Steve Rogers's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rogers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice jab there from Sharkhausen.
Rogers tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sharkhausen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sharkhausen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Rogers misses with a wild body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Sharkhausen. No joy for Rogers on that attempt.
Sharkhausen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rogers on the side of the head.
Rogers on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sharkhausen cracks Rogers with a right hand to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sharkhausen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sharkhausen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rogers's sensitive parts.
Sharkhausen dives in and grabs Rogers's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rogers pushes down on Sharkhausen's head and hops out.
Rogers dives in and grabs Sharkhausen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sharkhausen pushes down on Rogers's head and hops out.

Rogers closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sharkhausen quickly recovers to half guard.
Rogers takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sharkhausen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rogers is trying to control. Sharkhausen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Sharkhausen actively working from the bottom here.
Sharkhausen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rogers's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rogers's back!
Sharkhausen trying to control momentarily.

Sharkhausen has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Sharkhausen has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Sharkhausen misses with an elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogers tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Rogers is squirming around, avoiding Sharkhausen's attempts to control the action.

Sharkhausen get's back to his feet.
Sharkhausen tries to clinch but Rogers is having none of it.
Sharkhausen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rogers paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sharkhausen throws out a powerful jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sharkhausen 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.
Rogers misses with a double jab.
Sharkhausen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rogers at a distance.

Rogers moves into range and clinches up with Sharkhausen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sharkhausen manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Rogers misses with some punches.
Sharkhausen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sharkhausen lands a right hand.
Sharkhausen wants to break free but Rogers has control.
Sharkhausen jumps guard but Rogers turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sharkhausen tries to circle away but Rogers has him pinned against the cage.
Sharkhausen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rogers walks away with a smile on his face. Sharkhausen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Sharkhausen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sharkhausen connects with a leg kick. Rogers looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A jab from Rogers misses.
Sharkhausen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogers tries to clinch but Sharkhausen moves out of range.
Rogers fails in his attempt to clinch.

Sharkhausen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sharkhausen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Sharkhausen breaks the clinch.
A punch combination from Rogers misses.
Sharkhausen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That has opened up Steve Rogers's cut even more.

Sharkhausen has Rogers up against the cage in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sharkhausen wants to break free but Rogers has control.
Max Sharkhausen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rogers has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sharkhausen after a bit of a struggle.
Steve Rogers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rogers tries to throw a body punch but Sharkhausen avoids it by throwing Rogers back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Sharkhausen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sharkhausen, 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight for Max Sharkhausen!
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight for Max Sharkhausen!
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight for Max Sharkhausen!

Max Sharkhausen wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Max Sharkhausen thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.