PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Keith Rodgers (ranked 1671 p4p, 1191 weight class) and Aonghus Mormaer (ranked 200 p4p, 151 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rodgers
vs
Mormaer

184 cm
36
185
18 - 10 - 1

190 cm
34
185
21 - 17 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

30th Century Beer Store

30th Century Beer Store
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 1, fighting out of London, Keith Rodgers !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Aonghus Mormaer!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Richard Clark and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodgers with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mormaer has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Rodgers drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Mormaer working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rodgers has passed into half guard!
Mormaer is looking for a sweep. Rodgers is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Mormaer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mormaer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rodgers winds up and cracks Mormaer with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Mormaer looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mormaer is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rodgers scores with a couple of nice shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodgers lands strikes from half guard.
Rodgers is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Mormaer is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mormaer with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Mormaer actively working from the bottom here.
Mormaer is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rodgers scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rodgers trying to control the action but Mormaer is working from the bottom.
Mormaer has hold of Rodgers 's hands but Rodgers slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rodgers seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rodgers drops an elbow to the side of Mormaer's head.

Mormaer actively working from the bottom here.
Nice strikes from Rodgers there.
We've been hearing that Rodgers has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Mormaer tries to roll over but Rodgers keeps him under control.
Rodgers is trying to control the action in half guard but Mormaer is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rodgers is really struggling to control Mormaer but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mormaer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rodgers pulls his head out easily.
Mormaer is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rodgers scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rodgers trying to control from half guard but Mormaer is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mormaer tries to get to full guard but Rodgers has control of the leg.
Rodgers wants to pass the guard but Mormaer is defending well.
Ground and pound from Rodgers .
Mormaer on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rodgers prevents Mormaer from improving his position.
Rodgers slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mormaer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rodgers lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Mormaer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rodgers pulls his head out easily.
Rodgers is looking to take a break and control but Mormaer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rodgers is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Well, if Rodgers is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Mormaer wants to improve his position but Rodgers is controlling well.
Rodgers seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mormaer does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mormaer has hold of Rodgers 's hands but Rodgers slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mormaer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rodgers connects with a nice short shot to Mormaer's temple.
Rodgers working the head and body with strikes.
Rodgers is looking to take a break and control but Mormaer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Mormaer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mormaer makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mormaer.

Rodgers avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Rodgers dominated that 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.

Rodgers works Mormaer's body with a nice hook.
Rodgers lands a jab to Mormaer's midsection.
Rodgers connects with a crisp jab.
Rodgers throws a shot to the body.
Rodgers lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rodgers .
Mormaer is looking to reverse the position.
Rodgers slows the pace down.
Mormaer taking punishment in the form of punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mormaer tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rodgers wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers is looking to take a break and control but Mormaer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rodgers scoring with punches and elbows.
Rodgers scoring with punches and elbows.
Rodgers cracks Mormaer with a big right hand but Mormaer just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
You can see the frustration on Mormaer's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mormaer is looking for a sweep.
Rodgers scoring with punches from side control.
Mormaer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rodgers works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Mormaer sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rodgers looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Mormaer is trying to get back to full guard.
Rodgers is keen to just control but Mormaer is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mormaer is trying to maintain the position but Rodgers is very close to passing his half guard.
Rodgers lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rodgers lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rodgers connects with a nice short shot to Mormaer's temple.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rodgers connects with a nice short shot to Mormaer's temple.
Rodgers drops an elbow to the side of Mormaer's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mormaer is looking for a sweep. Rodgers is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rodgers working the head and body with strikes.
Rodgers looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Mormaer actively working from the bottom here.
Rodgers seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers wants to control but Mormaer is keeping him busy.
Mormaer is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rodgers scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rodgers with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Rodgers wants to take a breather but Mormaer is having none of it.
Mormaer won't allow Rodgers to pass to mount.
Rodgers is thwarting Mormaer's attempts to control the position.
Rodgers lands with a punch from half guard.
Rodgers working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mormaer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Mormaer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rodgers trying to control the action but Mormaer is working from the bottom.
Rodgers content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mormaer wants to get back to full guard.
Mormaer is refusing to be controlled, as Rodgers sits in half guard.

Mormaer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mormaer wants to improve his position but Rodgers is controlling well.
Rodgers landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rodgers slips a nice elbow through Mormaer's hands, connecting with Mormaer's forehead.
Rodgers scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rodgers is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ground and pound from Rodgers .
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Rodgers dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Mormaer has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rodgers .
Aonghus Mormaer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mormaer avoids the body shot from Rodgers .

Rodgers 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.

Rodgers got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mormaer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rodgers has managed to get both his arms back between Mormaer's legs - danger averted.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rodgers 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rodgers is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mormaer can do to turn this around?

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

Mormaer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rodgers gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mormaer keeping moving, preventing Rodgers from controlling successfully.
Rodgers works over Mormaer with some ground and pound from guard.
Rodgers passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mormaer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rodgers pulls his head out easily.
Rodgers trying to control the action but Mormaer is working from the bottom.
Rodgers lands with a punch from half guard.
Keith Rodgers overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mormaer wants to get back to full guard.
Mormaer keeps trying to improve his position.
Rodgers working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rodgers lands with a punch from half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Rodgers in particular looking to stall.
Mormaer taking some punishment here, with Rodgers in his half guard.
Mormaer tries to roll over but Rodgers keeps him under control.
Rodgers is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Keith Rodgers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Mormaer trying to control here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Rodgers in particular looking to stall.
Rodgers wants to free his trapped foot but Mormaer is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rodgers controlling the action here.
Mormaer tries to roll over but Rodgers keeps him under control.
Rodgers passes to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers is looking to take a break and control but Mormaer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mormaer prevents Rodgers from improving position.
Mormaer is not content to let Rodgers control the position.
Mormaer being controlled for a moment.
Mormaer is trying to improve his position.
Rodgers controlling the position from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rodgers is looking to take a break and control but Mormaer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mormaer is looking to regain half guard here but Rodgers keeps moving and retains side control.
Rodgers in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Mormaer is looking to regain half guard here but Rodgers keeps moving and retains side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodgers wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mormaer keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keith Rodgers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rodgers 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:26
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:26
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keith Rodgers !
Keith Rodgers was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.