PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Trinidad Hurst (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Bocatija Romeo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Josh Bocatija Romeo is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hurst
vs
Bocatija Romeo

172 cm
18
151 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Trinidad Hurst!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Josh Bocatija Romeo!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romeo throws a leg kick but Hurst sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hurst stuffs the takedown.

Hurst throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Romeo tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hurst is in Romeo's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Romeo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Romeo wants to stand up but Hurst is controlling him.
Romeo doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Romeo working for submissions but it's allowed Hurst to get to half guard.
Hurst sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Romeo defending well though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hurst with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romeo throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Hurst stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Romeo to get to his feet.
Romeo looks for a takedown but Hurst sprawls well.
Romeo shoots in but no luck this time.
Trinidad Hurst has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Bocatija Romeo.
Romeo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hurst avoids it really well and circles away.

Hurst feints and as Romeo raises his hands in defense, Hurst changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hurst is standing up over Romeo. Romeo looks to escape but Hurst dives into side control.
Romeo looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hurst decides to stand back up. Hurst steps back and let's Romeo get back to his feet.
Josh Bocatija Romeo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Romeo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hurst manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hurst feinted with a counter takedown.
Romeo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hurst manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Romeo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Good leg kick by Hurst there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Hurst closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Romeo to the mat! Romeo manages to get full guard.
Romeo is looking to stand back up but Hurst counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Romeo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hurst is taking a breather. Romeo says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hurst's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hurst has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Further stalling from Hurst.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trinidad Hurst dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hurst connects with a leg kick. Romeo looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hurst throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hurst checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hurst shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And Romeo tries to counter it with a takedown but Hurst pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Romeo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hurst as he avoids it easily.
Hurst looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Romeo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romeo shoots in looking for a takedown. Hurst tries to sprawl out of it but Romeo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hurst manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Romeo is breathing heavily.
Hurst displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Romeo.
It looked like Hurst was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Trinidad Hurst has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Bocatija Romeo.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hurst gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Romeo to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hurst trying to control the position here.
Hurst bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Romeo's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romeo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hurst controls the pace.

Hurst stands up from Romeo's guard - Hurst perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hurst throws a leg kick that misses.
Hurst throws a wild body kick that Romeo sees coming a mile off.
Romeo shoots in looking for a takedown but Hurst manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Romeo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hurst throws a push kick but Romeo slaps the foot to one side.
Romeo sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hurst fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Romeo.
Hurst tries to land a front kick but Romeo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Romeo is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Romeo checks a leg kick.
Romeo tries to clinch but Hurst is having none of it.
Hurst appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hurst throws a push kick but Romeo slaps the foot to one side.
Hurst buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hurst lands with a nice combination. Romeo backs away looking to recover.
Romeo avoids the head kick by Hurst.
Romeo blocks a low kick nicely.
Romeo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hurst fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A nice combination there by Hurst.
Hurst throws a head kick that misses.
Hurst tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Romeo is able to avoid easily.
Romeo is looking for the big counter here.
Hurst lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hurst goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick from Hurst misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hurst is looking to land body kicks.

Hurst scores with a takedown into Romeo's guard.
Romeo wants to get back to his feet but Hurst passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trinidad Hurst dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Hurst drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Romeo wants to control the position but Hurst says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Romeo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hurst is working away from the top position though.
Romeo wants to control but Hurst passes into side.
Hurst landing strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hurst decides to stand back up.
Romeo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice sprawl there from Hurst as Romeo shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hurst chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Hurst has managed to clinch.
Hurst drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Romeo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Romeo working hard to break the clinch.
Hurst doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Romeo fails to pull guard.
Romeo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hurst tries to land a knee to the head but Romeo blocks with his arms.
Romeo is looking to take this one to the mat.
Trinidad Hurst has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Bocatija Romeo.

Hurst pulls guard effortlessly.
Hurst trying to control the position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hurst is on top in guard.

Hurst drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hurst jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hurst controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hurst slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Romeo.
Romeo trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romeo is looking to get to half guard.
Hurst is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Romeo can do to turn this around?
Hurst content just to control the position here.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Hurst is stinking the place up with his stalling.

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.
Hurst punishing his opponent with strikes.
Romeo reaches up to try and control the position but Hurst seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Romeo rolls and tries to escape and now Hurst has his back!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Hurst controlling the positon.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Josh Bocatija Romeo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Trinidad Hurst is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hurst is hanging on to Romeo's back as he tries to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Trinidad Hurst showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hurst has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Trinidad Hurst!