PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert Oppenheimer (ranked 5270 p4p, 5360 weight class) and Santiago Rodriguez (ranked 585 p4p, 589 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Oppenheimer
vs
Rodriguez

190 cm
18
216
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
215
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

The Stuff
Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Robert Oppenheimer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Santiago Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Alec Ball and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rodriguez wants it to stay on the feet.
Oppenheimer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rodriguez's waist but Rodriguez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Oppenheimer off to one side.
A telegraphed right hand from Rodriguez misses the target.
Oppenheimer drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rodriguez sprawls and moves away.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Oppenheimer sprawls well. Oppenheimer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodriguez gets slowly back to his feet.

Rodriguez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Oppenheimer, pushing him back against the cage.
Oppenheimer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rodriguez smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Oppenheimer. 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.
Rodriguez has a takedown stuffed.

Oppenheimer gets the takedown into side control.

Rodriguez sneaks out the side door and pushes Oppenheimer away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a low kick, looking for Oppenheimer's leg but Oppenheimer calmly moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Oppenheimer.
Rodriguez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Oppenheimer pinned against the cage. Oppenheimer gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Oppenheimer dives in for a single leg takedown but Rodriguez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
As Oppenheimer backs off Rodriguez throws a huge counter combo but Oppenheimer manages to avoid it all.
Rodriguez misses with a wild body shot.
Rodriguez dodges the punch combination from Oppenheimer.
Oppenheimer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rodriguez tries a quick counter leg kick but Oppenheimer is wise to it.
Rodriguez looks for a takedown but Oppenheimer sprawls well.
Oppenheimer appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Oppenheimer shows good takedown defense.
Oppenheimer misses with a jab, cross combination.
Oppenheimer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt.
Oppenheimer is looking for a counter combo.
Oppenheimer leaves Rodriguez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Oppenheimer shoots for a double leg takedown but Rodriguez sprawls well. He's pushed Oppenheimer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rodriguez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Oppenheimer counters with a series of strikes. Rodriguez will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rodriguez looks winded!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oppenheimer tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez darts in and clinches Oppenheimer up against the cage.
Oppenheimer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rodriguez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Oppenheimer is defending well.
Oppenheimer has had enough of the clinch but Rodriguez keeps him there for the moment.
Rodriguez just leaning against Oppenheimer, taking a breather.
Rodriguez is working for takedown but Oppenheimer is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rodriguez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Oppenheimer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Oppenheimer moves out of range of the body kick.

Oppenheimer clinches up with Rodriguez and pushes him back against the cage.
Oppenheimer tries to break free but Rodriguez pushes him back against the cage.
Oppenheimer tries to pull guard but Rodriguez won't allow it.
Oppenheimer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Oppenheimer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez slaps away a takedown attempt from Oppenheimer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rodriguez tries to counter with a clinch but Oppenheimer shakes him off and moves away.
Oppenheimer tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rodriguez defends well and Oppenheimer ends up having to push Rodriguez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rodriguez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Oppenheimer.
No luck for Oppenheimer with that takedown attempt.
Rodriguez throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Oppenheimer counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Rodriguez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Santiago Rodriguez has been cut.
Rodriguez has a takedown stuffed.
Oppenheimer shoots in for a takedown but Rodriguez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Robert Oppenheimer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Santiago Rodriguez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Oppenheimer misses with a takedown

and Rodriguez counters by clinching up.
Oppenheimer jumps guard but Rodriguez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Oppenheimer can't find room to land a body shot as Rodriguez controls the action.
A short right from Rodriguez.
Oppenheimer misses with a knee to the head.
Oppenheimer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rodriguez just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Oppenheimer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but Oppenheimer manages to get underhooks.

Rodriguez pulls guard successfully.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oppenheimer wants to control from the top but Rodriguez keeps moving.
Oppenheimer is fighting to break Rodriguez's control of his arms but Rodriguez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oppenheimer trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodriguez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Oppenheimer throws an elbow that misses. Rodriguez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Oppenheimer's guard. Nice move by Rodriguez!

Oppenheimer can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rodriguez controls the pace.
Rodriguez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rodriguez passes into half guard.

Rodriguez stands up out of the half guard.
Oppenheimer wants to clinch up but Rodriguez keeps it at a distance.
Oppenheimer misses with a takedown

and Rodriguez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rodriguez.

Oppenheimer drags the fight down to the ground.
Santiago Rodriguez has got the better of the ground game so far.

Rodriguez gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Oppenheimer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rodriguez fails with the takedown.
Oppenheimer is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Rodriguez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rodriguez keeps control of Oppenheimer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Oppenheimer drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Rodriguez has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Oppenheimer uses from the top position.
Rodriguez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rodriguez looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Oppenheimer trying to control but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.
Oppenheimer trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rodriguez's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oppenheimer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Rodriguez working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Oppenheimer has passed into half guard!
Oppenheimer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Oppenheimer wants to stand but Rodriguez has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Oppenheimer is thwarting Rodriguez's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santiago Rodriguez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Santiago Rodriguez's cut.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Oppenheimer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rodriguez's waist but Rodriguez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Oppenheimer off to one side.
Robert Oppenheimer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rodriguez forces Oppenheimer back against the cage and clinches.
Rodriguez has Oppenheimer pressed against the cage, preventing Oppenheimer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Rodriguez manages to pull guard.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Oppenheimer from controlling successfully.
Rodriguez looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Oppenheimer is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oppenheimer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodriguez is keeping the position for now.
Oppenheimer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodriguez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Oppenheimer wants to control from the top but Rodriguez keeps moving.
Rodriguez is pulling down on Oppenheimer's head to control his posture.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.
Oppenheimer doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodriguez circles away.
Rodriguez leaves Oppenheimer with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Rodriguez instigates a clinch.
Rodriguez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Oppenheimer is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Oppenheimer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Oppenheimer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rodriguez just stands there and leans against the cage.

Oppenheimer is fighting off a takedown attempt but Rodriguez is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Oppenheimer to the mat. Oppenheimer regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Rodriguez slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oppenheimer looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.
Rodriguez throwing strikes from guard but Oppenheimer blocks nicely.
Oppenheimer keeping full guard, as Rodriguez tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Oppenheimer looking to control.
Rodriguez tries to free his leg and advance position but Oppenheimer is retaining full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Oppenheimer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rodriguez throws a poor cross that misses
and Oppenheimer counters with a body kick.
Rodriguez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A little feinted left hand from Oppenheimer on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rodriguez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Oppenheimer counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rodriguez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Oppenheimer defends it nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown. Oppenheimer tries to sprawl out of it but Rodriguez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Oppenheimer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Santiago Rodriguez.
I think Rodriguez 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santiago Rodriguez!