PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Will Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Fokai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Will Rhodes has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rhodes
vs
Fokai

178 cm
22
170 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

187 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Will Rhodes!
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, Matt Fokai!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fokai looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Rhodes!
Fokai trying to control but Rhodes is having none of it.
Rhodes working to try and regain half guard.
Rhodes tries to hold on but Fokai postures up.
Fokai landing strikes from the mount.
Rhodes tries to hold on but Fokai postures up.
Fokai content just to control the position here.
Rhodes tries to reverse the position but Fokai maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fokai looking to control but Rhodes is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rhodes tries to reverse the position but Fokai maintains control.
Fokai looking to control but Rhodes is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rhodes holds on, trying desperately to control.
Rhodes is desperately trying to improve his position but Fokai has a good base and remains in mount.
Rhodes holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Fokai tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Rhodes has given up his back here.
Fokai doesn't have the hooks in and Rhodes manages to turn into his guard.
Fokai bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rhodes's guard.

That's two 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.
Rhodes manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rhodes controlling from mount.
Rhodes wants to control the pace but Fokai is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Fokai wants to control but Rhodes is having none of it.
Fokai stops Rhodes from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Rhodes looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fokai is desperately trying to improve his position but Rhodes has a good base and remains in mount.
Rhodes can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Fokai is looking to escape.
Rhodes controlling from the full mount.

Rhodes is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Fokai can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Fokai really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rhodes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

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.
Fokai is trying to escape the mount but Rhodes keeps good control and instead manages to take Fokai's back.
Fokai is in bad spot here.
Fokai trying to control the hands but Rhodes won't let him.
Rhodes lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Fokai.
Good control from Rhodes.
Fokai is trying to break free.
Fokai looks gassed!

Rhodes has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Fokai! Can he survive? No! He's out! Rhodes gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Will Rhodes!