PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rico Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Haigh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Dan Haigh enters the cage!

Rodriguez
vs
Haigh

190 cm
18
210 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
205 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Rico Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Dan Haigh!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Chris Edwards and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Haigh shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Haigh was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rodriguez is trying desperately to improve position.
Haigh wants to take Rodriguez's back but he can't do it this time.
Haigh takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Haigh manages to capitalize on a mistake by Rodriguez to take his back!
What can Rodriguez do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Haigh connects with a big shot to the side of Rodriguez's head.
Rodriguez is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Haigh lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Rodriguez turns into Haigh and is now in his guard.
Rodriguez tries to free his leg and advance position but Haigh is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez postures up.
Rodriguez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Haigh controls Rodriguez momentarily but Rodriguez frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rodriguez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Haigh throws a head kick that misses.
Haigh doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodriguez circles away.
Rodriguez takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rodriguez has his takedown stuffed

and Haigh decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rodriguez's guard.
Haigh trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodriguez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Haigh might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rodriguez kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haigh with a nice head shot there.
Rodriguez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Haigh's guard.
Haigh trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Rodriguez advances to half guard.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura but Haigh is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rodriguez to get the leverage.
Rodriguez is breathing heavily.
Haigh trying to control from the bottom.
Haigh pushes Rodriguez off looking to stand but Rodriguez dives back in and keeps control.
Haigh slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Rodriguez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haigh seems keen to control Rodriguez's posture.
Haigh is trying to keep Rodriguez in close.

Haigh working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rodriguez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rodriguez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rodriguez wants to pass the guard but Haigh is keeping the position.
Haigh is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rodriguez is controlling him.
Haigh looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Haigh throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodriguez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Haigh can pounce on him.
Rodriguez with a poor takedown

and Haigh counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rodriguez's guard now.
Haigh controls from within his opponent's guard.
Haigh wants to stand but Rodriguez is controlling his posture from full guard.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Haigh from controlling successfully.
Haigh really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rodriguez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haigh scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Haigh 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.

Haigh throws out a powerful jab.

Haigh gets a clinch.
Rodriguez fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Rodriguez lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Haigh is trying to get back to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Haigh can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rodriguez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Haigh!
Haigh is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Haigh is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Haigh is working to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Haigh sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Haigh wants to improve his position but Rodriguez is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haigh is looking to escape.
Haigh gets full guard.

Haigh is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rodriguez is aware though and is defending well.

Haigh is working an open guard so Rodriguez takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Haigh closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Haigh lands in his opponent's guard.
Haigh in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Haigh wants to control from the top but Rodriguez keeps moving.
Haigh controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haigh wants to control from the top but Rodriguez keeps moving.
Haigh is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Haigh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Haigh trying to control but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Haigh lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rodriguez at a distance.

Haigh shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rodriguez is trying to defend but Haigh finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez gets back to full guard.

Haigh gets to his feet. Rodriguez looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Haigh closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rodriguez to the mat! Rodriguez manages to get full guard.

Haigh gets to his feet - Rodriguez follows without any prompting.

Haigh has Rodriguez up against the cage in a clinch.

Haigh pulls Rodriguez into guard.
Dan Haigh has got the better of the ground game so far.

Rodriguez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rodriguez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Haigh keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haigh working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Haigh looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Haigh scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Haigh fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rodriguez sprawls well initially but Haigh persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Rodriguez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Haigh decides to return to a standing position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodriguez checks a leg kick.
Haigh shoots for a takedown but Rodriguez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Haigh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodriguez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Haigh counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Haigh.
Haigh trying to control but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.

Rodriguez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Haigh chips away with some ground and pound.
Haigh scoring with some ground and pound.
Haigh wants to control from the top but Rodriguez keeps moving.
Haigh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Haigh trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Haigh is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haigh wants to control from the top but Rodriguez keeps moving.
Haigh not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Haigh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Haigh dodges the punch combination from Rodriguez.

Haigh shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Haigh was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Haigh trying to control but Rodriguez is having none of it.
Rodriguez is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haigh trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Haigh controlling from the full mount.
Haigh lands a nice shot to the head.
Rodriguez wants to hold on but Haigh pushes him away.
Haigh landing strikes, looking to finish!
Rodriguez is looking to get to half guard.
Haigh controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haigh wants to control the pace but Rodriguez is squirming around nicely.
Haigh controlling his opponent.
Rodriguez is wriggling around trying to escape.
Rico Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Haigh content just to control the position here.
Haigh tries to control but Rodriguez wriggling away.
Haigh controlling from mount.

Despite being in the dominant position, Dan Haigh just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rodriguez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Haigh counters with a straight right hand.
Haigh scores with a leg kick.
Haigh misses with a kick to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Haigh.
Dan Haigh is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Haigh scores a takedown into full mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Haigh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Haigh has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Haigh!