Mike Pierce vs Carlos Eduardo Rocha

by Dr. Octagon, J.D.

This is a really nice fight for a bush league channel that doesn’t broadcast in HD. Mike Pierce lost a tough split decision to Josh Koschek in his last fight. Carlos Eduardo Rocha lost a split decision to the equally tough Jake Ellenberger. Live updates after the jump:[[MORE]]

Round 1: Rocha points to his eye and the ref drops off some grease on Mike’s head.  Rocha is trying to push Mike Pierce around, but he’s not going to have any luck with that shit.  Mike Pierce is a fucking beast.  Pierce turns him around against the cage.  Pierce with knees to the body.  Mike Pierce can just wear a man out with this sort of grind.  Foot stomps from Pierce.  Pierce throwing bodyshots.  Rocha pulls guard with a trip to the legs.  No submissions available as Pierce lets Rocha stand.  Rocha throws a telegraphed kick.  Pierce throws two jabs and shoots.   Has Rocha up against the fence again.  Pierce lands a nice elbow against the fence.  Rocha tries to get away and Pierce gets a double and picks Rocha up drops him on his back and Rocha starts going for submissions, but Pierce lets him up.

They don’t cut to commercials here.  We get to hear what they’re saying in their corners.  Sound cuts out, but Pierce’s corner wants him to be more aggressive.  The Brazilian’s corner says to take his head.

Round 2: Pierce throws a punch and goes for a takedown.  Rocha has the head, but Pierce is defending.  Mike Pierce grindfest.  Rocha needs to get his ass off the fence.  Rocha gets separation and Rocha comes forward with a combination, but doesn’t land shit.  Pierce grabs a leg and has Rocha against the cage again.  This is where Mike wants to keep the fight as the Brazilian is squirelly on the ground and somewhat dangerous with separation.  Pierce lands some bodyshots and then works a double leg takedown.  Rocha goes for a calf slicer, but Pierce steps out of it.  Pierce falls into the guard with a big left.  Pierce lands again.  Pierce staying out of Rocha’s guard and landing punches.  Pierce landing, I think Rocha has a mouse under his left eye, but can’t tell because this is in shitty standard definition.  Pierce landing nice body to head combinations from top position.  Pierce workign the elbows, but Rocha is still trying to get an arm.  Pierce is landing some nice shots.  Rocha turns over and is turtled as Pierce has his back.  Rocha stands and Pierce pushes him back against the fence.  Rocha tries for a trip and Pierce doesn’t even flinch and pushes Rocha back up against the fence again.  Rocha has to be gassed at this point.  He’s been getting manhandled.  The crowd is raining down boos due to the lack of offense, but Mike Pierce is fighting a very good strategic fight.

The Brazilians told Rocha he lost both rounds and needs to win it here. No shit Brazlian bras.  Good call there.

Round 3: Pierce throws a kick and ties Rocha up against the cage.  Rocha really needed to avoid this position.  Ref is telling them to work, Pierce lands a punch as they disengage.  Pierce coming forward throwing punches and ties Rocha up again and pushes him up against the cage again.  I would say Rocha has spent about 80% of this fight with his back against the cage.  Pierce looked like he snuck in an uppercut there.  Rocha is trying to throw knees, but looks like he needs the oxygen tank.  Pierce is grinding him against the cage as the ref breaks them up.  Rocha looks very tired.  Pierce comes forward and lands a left and then grabs a leg and puts Rocha on his back, staying in the same spot as last time, just outside Rocha’s guard.  Pierce working the body from that position.  He knows he doesn’t need to finish this shit.  As long as he keeps working the body he should win this.  Pierce landing body to the face combination.  Rocha is throwing little punches, but not doing any damage.  Pierce is starting to land some big shots to Rocha’s face.  Pierce stands up and falls in punching, but misses.  Pierce is postured up and is popping Rocha pretty well.  Rocha needs to get his guard more active, but Pierce is able to neutralize the BJJ and is landing a ton of elbows.  Pierce stands up and lands a few more punches as the round ends.  Rocha looks hurt.

I score it 30-27 and the judges will too. Couldn’t have been more clear.

First judge scores it 30-27 Rocha (they must have read that card wrong. I don’t know how anyone could give Rocha a round. Later on they’re going to say they read that card wrong. Right guys? Right?). 30-27 Pierce (twice) for the other two. Horrifying when they read a card wrong and ironic that it would happen on this card, which is a redo of a previous card mistake in the Johnson vs. McCall headliner. This shit needs to stop.  How hard is it to read a fucking scorecard?

Pierce by insane split decision in a fight he dominated (although not in an exciting manner) for 15 minutes.