PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tadahiro Nomura (ranked 689 p4p, 1387 weight class) and Gregory Rodriguez (ranked 108 p4p, 185 weight class). Rodriguez is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Many Men - 50 Cent. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nomura
vs
Rodriguez

165 cm
19
150
4 - 1 - 0

174 cm
20
166
4 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tadahiro Nomura!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gregory Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Josh West and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Rodriguez misses.
Nomura looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nomura keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice sprawl there from Nomura as Rodriguez shoots in.
Nomura connects with a crisp jab.
Nomura moves forwards but Rodriguez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nomura is looking to clinch.
Rodriguez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - Rodriguez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nomura keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nomura throws a lazy right hand but Rodriguez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nomura throws a series of punches but Rodriguez moves out of range.

Rodriguez closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nomura did well to prevent Rodriguez getting side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodriguez thows a huge punch but Nomura dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control the action but Nomura is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez looks to land a strike but Nomura avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Rodriguez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nomura is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Rodriguez preventing the sweep.

Nomura had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rodriguez defends it easily.
Rodriguez content to stall in guard here.

Nomura looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nomura not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rodriguez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nomura is keeping the position for now.
Nomura controls Rodriguez momentarily but Rodriguez frees himself.
Nomura keeping full guard, as Rodriguez tries to pass.
Nomura can't keep his opponent in guard - Rodriguez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Rodriguez is working for an americana but Nomura has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Rodriguez was thinking about the submission.
Rodriguez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control but Nomura is working from the bottom.
Nomura is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Nomura throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Nomura is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rodriguez is aware though and is defending well.
Rodriguez looking to sit in guard and control but Nomura gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rodriguez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nomura doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nomura manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to sweep here but Nomura controlling him for the moment.
Rodriguez working a defensive guard but Nomura manages to pass into side control anyway.
Nomura tries to advance to mount but Rodriguez denies him.
Rodriguez is looking for a sweep.
A lull in the action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
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And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tadahiro Nomura will probably get the nod.
That's time! Nomura's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nomura cracks Rodriguez with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nomura feints and then cracks Rodriguez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rodriguez down.
Rodriguez shoots in and drives through. Nomura sprawls well.
Nomura tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rodriguez was well out of range. Poor timing from Nomura.
Rodriguez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nomura.
Nomura scores with a sloppy right hand. Rodriguez should have avoided that one.
Nomura misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez throws a right and a left that both miss.

Nomura closes the distance and pushes Rodriguez back into the cage.
Nomura makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nomura tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rodriguez's elbow.
Nomura blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez has a couple of punches blocked by Nomura.
Nomura blocks an uppercut.
Rodriguez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rodriguez looking to stall.
Nomura lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rodriguez backwards.

Rodriguez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nomura staying out of range there.
Rodriguez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nomura circles away.
Nomura appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Rodriguez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nomura was well out of range. Poor timing from Rodriguez.
Nomura tries a low kick but Rodriguez avoids it.

Rodriguez gets the takedown into side control.
Nomura takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Rodriguez thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rodriguez controlling from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Rodriguez has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nomura is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rodriguez's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rodriguez lands with a punch from half guard.

Rodriguez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nomura doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is trying to work for a kimura but Nomura is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nomura wants to get back to full guard.
Nomura desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Rodriguez trying to control from Nomura's half guard. Nomura has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Nomura utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nomura seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rodriguez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nomura swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nomura is trying to keep Rodriguez in close.
Nomura is adopting a defensive guard.
Nomura looking for a sweep. Not yet Nomura, not yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nomura keeping full guard, as Rodriguez tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rodriguez shoots for a double leg takedown but Nomura sprawls well. He's pushed Rodriguez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Nomura misses the target.
Tadahiro Nomura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gregory Rodriguez.
Rodriguez moves away from the strike by Nomura.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tadahiro Nomura will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nomura slips under a jab.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A punch combination from Rodriguez misses.
Tadahiro Nomura is winning the standup battle so far.

Rodriguez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rodriguez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nomura keeps working.

Rodriguez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez working the ground and pound but Nomura is defending the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An elbow from Rodriguez crashes against the mat.
Rodriguez tries to move to mount but Nomura blocks the move with his legs.
You can see the frustration on Nomura's face as Rodriguez controls the position.
Nomura struggling a bit here.
Nomura tries to bench press Rodriguez off him but Rodriguez keeps the position.

Rodriguez thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Nomura is trying to get back to half guard.

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.
Rodriguez tries to move into full mount but can't pass Nomura's legs.
Nomura is trying to get back to half guard.

Rodriguez is trying to get an arm triangle but Nomura is defending well.
Nomura tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rodriguez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Nomura can't do much from the bottom here.
Nomura tries to bench press Rodriguez off him but Rodriguez keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nomura manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Rodriguez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rodriguez has a hand on Nomura's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Nomura takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Rodriguez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nomura can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rodriguez is looking to escape.
Rodriguez tries to reverse the position but Nomura maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nomura tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Nomura forces the positional change into back control.
Nomura just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Nomura is not going to allow Rodriguez to sit and survive in this position.
Nomura is hanging on to Rodriguez's back as he tries to escape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Gregory Rodriguez just about did enough to take it.
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.

Rodriguez looks for a takedown but Nomura sprawls well.

Nomura clinches with his opponent.
Rodriguez throws a punch but it's blocked by Nomura.
A right hook to the body lands for Nomura.
Rodriguez leaning against his opponent.
Nomura is pressed up against the cage. Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nomura down to the mat. Nomura avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nomura 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.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nomura blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nomura stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Rodriguez's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nomura misses with a punch on the inside.
Rodriguez has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Nomura seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Rodriguez can turn it around.
A short left from Nomura.
Rodriguez has a couple of punches blocked by Nomura.
Nomura controlling the action here for a moment.

Nomura breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nomura working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rodriguez throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nomura tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rodriguez's elbow.
Nice body punch from Nomura - that landed with a thud.
Nomura is looking to break free of the clinch but Rodriguez has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rodriguez misses with the head strike.
Rodriguez misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nomura tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nomura prevents a body shot from Rodriguez.
Nomura tries to work over Rodriguez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A bit of stalling here from Nomura.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nomura.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rodriguez.

Nomura pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big left from Rodriguez misses.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt.
Tadahiro Nomura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gregory Rodriguez.
Rodriguez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nomura catches Rodriguez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nomura throws a right and a left that Rodriguez avoids nicely.

Nomura rushes Rodriguez and presses him up against the cage.
Tadahiro Nomura has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Nomura escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but Nomura sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rodriguez throws a lazy uppercut
and Nomura counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nomura lands a jab.
Nomura stuffs the takedown attempt from Rodriguez. Rodriguez gets slowly back to his feet.
Rodriguez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nomura swivels and escapes.
Nomura is looking for a counter combo.
Nomura throws a leg kick but Rodriguez sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nice shot lands for Nomura.
Nomura throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nomura looks to score with a jab to the body but Rodriguez is just out of range.
Rodriguez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rodriguez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nomura stuffs the takedown attempt from Rodriguez. Rodriguez gets slowly back to his feet.
Nomura seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rodriguez throws a right hand that misses
and Nomura counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gregory Rodriguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Nomura appears to be looking for a big counter.
Rodriguez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nomura lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tadahiro Nomura had his way with Gregory Rodriguez in that round.
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. And we move into the final round!

Rodriguez misses with a takedown
and Nomura counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nomura throws a hook but Rodriguez blocks it.

Rodriguez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nomura doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rodriguez blocks a body shot from Nomura.
Rodriguez misses with a body punch.
Nomura trying to stall but Rodriguez improves his position.
Rodriguez letting Nomura take a breather here.
Rodriguez has a couple of punches blocked by Nomura.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez scores with a shoulder strike.
A body shot lands from Nomura.
Nomura lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nomura doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nomura will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rodriguez up against the cage.

Nomura breaks the clinch.
Nomura misses with a wild body shot.
Rodriguez tries to clinch but Nomura moves out of range.

Nomura takes the fight into the clinch.
Nomura will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rodriguez up against the cage.
Rodriguez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nomura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rodriguez can do to turn this around?
Nomura misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Nomura.
Nomura tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez letting Nomura take a breather here.
Rodriguez is trying to pull guard but Nomura has him pressed against the cage.
Rodriguez pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nomura gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Tadahiro Nomura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gregory Rodriguez.
Rodriguez lands a shoulder strike.
Rodriguez's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A right hook to the body lands for Nomura.
Rodriguez throws a head punch that misses.
Nomura tries to throw a body punch but Rodriguez avoids it by throwing Nomura back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Nomura.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nomura scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nomura avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nomura struggles to land a body shot inside as Rodriguez controls his hands.
Nomura tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rodriguez's elbow.
Rodriguez lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nomura backwards.
Rodriguez throws a punch but it's blocked by Nomura.
Rodriguez is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nomura is keeping busy.
Rodriguez working aggressively here.
Nomura doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rodriguez swings wildly with an uppercut but Nomura uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nomura wants to stall.
Rodriguez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rodriguez looking to throw knees to the head but Nomura is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nomura presses Rodriguez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Rodriguez fails to land.
Nomura lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rodriguez creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rodriguez misses with the head strike.
Rodriguez lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nomura backwards.
Nomura tries to throw a body punch but Rodriguez avoids it by throwing Nomura back against the cage.
Rodriguez throws a punch but it's blocked by Nomura.
Nomura scores with a hook to the body.
Gregory Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodriguez is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Rodriguez letting Nomura take a breather here.
Nomura blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nomura.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nomura pushes Rodriguez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nomura blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tadahiro Nomura showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nomura has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 49:46
Judge Josh West scores the fight 48:48
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Tadahiro Nomura!
Tadahiro Nomura retains his lightweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Tadahiro Nomura thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Gregory Rodriguez was interviewed post fight and said 'Gym on Monday.'.