PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Scott Hode (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Shachner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hode comes to the cage accompanied by Arkansas Razorback Fight Song. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hode
vs
Shachner

167 cm
25
159 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

150 cm
24
162 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Scott Hode!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rory Shachner!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Felipe Paraventi and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hode tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shachner swivels and escapes.
A jab lands there for Hode.
Shachner misses with a takedown attempt
letting Hode counter with a right hand.

It looks like Rory Shachner has been cut.
Shachner is looking to clinch.
Hode misses with a hook. Shachner ducked under it nicely.

Hode scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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.
Hode controlling the position from side mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hode gets to mount! Shachner was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shachner is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hode controlling the pace for now.
Hode breaks from Shachner's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Hode in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Shachner takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hode with the ground and pound from mount.
Hode dominating with strikes here.
Hode in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Hode dominating with strikes here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
BOOM! Hode connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hode cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hode controlling the pace for now.
Hode has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hode lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Shachner working to try and regain half guard.
Hode tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Shachner is in a horrible position here. Hode smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Shachner takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hode unloading with bombs!
Shachner tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hode has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Shachner's face.
Shachner tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Shachner in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Hode controlling his opponent.
Hode putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Hode content just to control the position here.

Hode working for a submission but Shachner is keeping him at bay.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hode with the ground and pound from mount.

Hode has hold of Shachner's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Shachner manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Hode controlling from mount.
Hode landing strikes from the mount.
Hode controlling from mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hode with the ground and pound from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shachner is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hode lands with some strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Hode dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rory Shachner's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hode jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hode is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shachner can do to turn this around?
Hode is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shachner.
Shachner attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Shachner gets the takedown into side control.
Hode is looking for a sweep.
Hode manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Hode is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shachner pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hode moves into full guard.
Shachner prevents Hode from getting back to his feet.
Hode trying to control the position.
Hode will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hode is looking to stand up but Shachner isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hode keeping full guard, as Shachner tries to pass.
Shachner postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Shachner tries to clinch up
and Hode counters with a left to the body.
Shachner displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hode throws out the jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shachner.
Hode shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Shachner counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hode is refusing to be controlled, as Shachner sits in half guard.
Hode tries to get to full guard but Shachner has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hode is trying to stand up here but Shachner is controlling him well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hode won't allow Shachner to pass to mount.
Scott Hode overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shachner trying to advance position but Hode counters by regaining guard.
Shachner stops Hode from standing up.
Shachner preventing the sweep.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Shachner fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hode sprawls well initially but Shachner persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hode pushes Shachner off looking to stand but Shachner dives back in and keeps control.
Hode is pressing down on Shachner's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Shachner tries to free his leg and advance position but Hode is retaining full guard.

Hode scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Hode throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shachner's waist but Shachner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hode off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hode connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hode throws a big shot that misses.

Hode looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Shachner!
Shachner tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Hode has control of Shachner's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Shachner regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Shachner is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hode takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hode cracks Shachner with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Hode working the ground and pound effectively.
Shachner regains half guard.
Hode content to control rather than advance.
Hode working over Shachner with some ground and pound. Shachner looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hode working over Shachner with some ground and pound. Shachner looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Scott Hode will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rory Shachner'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.

Hode with a lazy takedown attempt

and Shachner counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hode!
Hode's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Hode really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hode is trying to stand up.
Hode is looking to get to half guard.

Shachner looking for a guillotine from mount but Hode is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Shachner is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Hode has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hode bucks Shachner off and manages to get back to his feet!

Hode drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hode is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shachner is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hode is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hode's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Hode trying to control but Shachner is working from the bottom.

Shachner is looking for a triangle but Hode pushes his legs off easily.
Shachner can't keep his opponent in guard - Hode advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hode trying to control the pace.
Hode seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Shachner for as long as he can get away with.
Shachner is looking for a sweep. Hode is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hode frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Hode looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hode breaks from Shachner's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Hode is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Shachner can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hode controlling the position easily from mount.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Scott Hode just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Hode shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shachner as he jumps to the side.
Scott Hode seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hode gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Shachner counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Hode. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hode has one foot on Shachner's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Hode is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Shachner gets the takedown into side control.
Hode tries to buck Shachner off but Shachner is having none of it.
Hode prevents Shachner from moving into mount.
Shachner prevents Hode from escaping the position.

Shachner is trying to get an arm triangle but Hode is defending well.

Shachner tries for a kimura but Hode is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shachner working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Rory Shachner just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Rory Shachner's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Shachner misses with a takedown
and Hode cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hode bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Shachner's head.
Hode takes a swing at Shachner's ribcage but misses.
Hode misses with a hook.
Shachner takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hode swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hode with a poor takedown

and Shachner counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hode tries to roll over but Shachner keeps him under control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Shachner wants to take a breather but Hode is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hode regains full guard. Nicely done.

Hode uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Hode misses with a hook.
Hode pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shachner misses with a takedown attempt
and Hode counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shachner thinking.

Shachner closes the distance and clinches.
Shachner drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Scott Hode has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rory Shachner.

Hode escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shachner ducks under a wild hook from Hode.

Shachner drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hode prevents Shachner from moving into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hode is trying to control Shachner's posture but Shachner avoids it.

Shachner looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hode defending against the ground and pound.
Hode gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hode keeping hold of Shachner's head, controlling as best he can.

Hode has one foot on Shachner's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Jab, jab by Hode - just one landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shachner moves out of range of the strikes.
Shachner tries to move into range but Hode moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hode throws an overhand right that lands on Shachner's shoulder, as Shachner tries to avoid the shot.
Hode lands a jab to the nose.
Hode looks to land a left hand but Shachner moved out of range nicely.

Shachner gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hode to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hode slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Hode landing with the ground and pound.
Hode is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hode wants to pass the guard but Shachner is keeping the position.
Hode 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.
Hode won't allow Shachner to sweep him here.
Hode forces his way into half guard.
Still in half guard, Hode seems content to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shachner is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hode scores with a couple of nice shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Hode had his way with Rory Shachner in that round.
The cut man is working on Rory Shachner's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hode looks to land a right hand but Shachner moved out of range.

Hode closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Shachner did well to prevent Hode getting side control.
Hode is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Hode working the head and body with strikes.
Hode is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Hode sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Hode uses his free foot to push down on Shachner's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Shachner.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hode prevents Shachner from getting the reversal.
Hode controlling the pace for now.
Hode has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Hode with good strikes from the mount here!
Hode controlling the position easily from mount.
Shachner is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hode lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Shachner hang on?
Hode content just to control the position here.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Scott Hode just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Hode cracks a nice hook into Shachner's ribs.
The fighters circling - Hode throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fighters circling - Hode throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hode looks for a takedown but Shachner sprawls well.
Hode connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hode shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Shachner counters with a single leg into guard. Hode didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hode looking for a sweep. Not yet Hode, not yet.

Hode has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shachner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hode wants to get back to his feet but Shachner is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hode tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shachner sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hode's guard.
Shachner works his foot free and advances to mount.
Hode is desperately trying to improve his position but Shachner has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hode is working hard here to advance position.

Shachner looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Shachner can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hode is looking to escape.
Hode tries to lock up and control but Shachner gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rory Shachner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hode gets back to half guard.
Scott Hode is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Hode pushes Shachner off and gets back to his feet.
Hode sizes up Shachner with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Hode showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hode 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 49:45
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 49:45
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 49:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Scott Hode!
Scott Hode is the new lightweight champion!