PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Trent Hoop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richie Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodriguez comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Rockstar kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Richie Rodriguez will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Hoop
vs
Rodriguez

185 cm
20
210 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

196 cm
24
213 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Trent Hoop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Richie Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hoop.
Hoop shoots for a takedown but Rodriguez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up.

Rodriguez closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hoop did well to prevent Rodriguez getting side control.
Hoop is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rodriguez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rodriguez's back!
Rodriguez tries to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hoop looking for the choke from the back.
Rodriguez turns into Hoop and is now in his guard.

Hoop throws his legs up looking for a submission but Rodriguez uses it to pass to side control.
You can see the frustration on Hoop's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rodriguez postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Hoop tries to improve position but can't.
Rodriguez moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoop can't do much from the bottom here.
Rodriguez lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hoop down.
Rodriguez throws a strike aimed at the side of Hoop's head but Hoop avoids it well.
Rodriguez throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Hoop might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rodriguez misses with the ground and pound.
Rodriguez landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Hoop takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Rodriguez just content to control the position.
You can see the frustration on Hoop's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hoop takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoop struggling a bit here.
Hoop avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Rodriguez.
Rodriguez postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Hoop wants to control but Rodriguez postures up.

Rodriguez decides to stand back up.
Hoop slips a jab from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez's corner calls for a 1-2. Rodriguez obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up.
Rodriguez lands a head shot.

It looks like Trent Hoop has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice jab there from Rodriguez.
Hoop is breathing heavily.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown. Hoop tries to sprawl out of it but Rodriguez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hoop manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hoop swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Hoop decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rodriguez's guard.
Hoop trying to control but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodriguez, not yet.

Hoop avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hoop trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hoop keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rodriguez's head.
Hoop stands up over Rodriguez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hoop throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rodriguez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoop dips to his left and cracks Rodriguez with an uppercut!
Hoop misses with a wild body shot.
Hoop throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hoop falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rodriguez makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Hoop really felt that one!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hoop defends it nicely.
Trent Hoop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richie Rodriguez.
No joy there for Hoop, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rodriguez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hoop's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodriguez jabs at Hoop's body.

Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rodriguez scoring with some ground and pound.
Hoop keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richie Rodriguez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Trent Hoop's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch but Hoop swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Hoop drives through and clinches with Rodriguez against the cage.
Rodriguez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rodriguez tries to score a body lock takedown but Hoop shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hoop gets underhooks to prevent Rodriguez's takedown attempt.
Hoop lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rodriguez wants to break free but Hoop has control.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but Hoop won't allow it.
Trent Hoop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richie Rodriguez.
Rodriguez wants a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rodriguez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rodriguez is working for takedown but Hoop is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rodriguez goes for a takedown attempt but Hoop pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hoop pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rodriguez is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoop clobbers Rodriguez with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hoop lands with a hook. Rodriguez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hoop misses with a two punch combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rodriguez.
Hoop fails to land with a series of punches.
Hoop tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rodriguez checks a leg kick.
Rodriguez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodriguez slips under a jab.
Hoop shoots in for a takedown but Rodriguez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rodriguez falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hoop counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hoop.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is trying to drag Hoop to the mat but Hoop just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Hoop's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rodriguez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rodriguez.
Hoop regains half guard, as Rodriguez was trying to land strikes.
Hoop is looking for a sweep. Rodriguez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hoop trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez stops Hoop from getting back to his feet.
Rodriguez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rodriguez is looking to take a break and control but Hoop is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rodriguez slips a jab and a cross from Hoop.
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch but Hoop swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rodriguez closes the distance looking to clinch
letting Hoop counter with a right hand.
Rodriguez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hoop counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Hoop moves into the clinch successfully.
Rodriguez misses with some punches.
Rodriguez tries to score a body lock takedown but Hoop shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hoop gets through Rodriguez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rodriguez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hoop prevents it.
Rodriguez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Hoop breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rodriguez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rodriguez blocks a jab.
A lazy left from Hoop finds it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trent Hoop dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Trent Hoop's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hoop doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rodriguez counters with a stiff right hand.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt.
Rodriguez moves out of range as Hoop strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hoop. Rodriguez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hoop throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rodriguez.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rodriguez.

Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rodriguez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hoop is desperately trying to improve his position but Rodriguez has a good base and remains in mount.
Rodriguez lands with some strikes.
Richie Rodriguez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hoop tries to hold on but Rodriguez pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoop regains half guard.
Rodriguez throwing shots but Hoop is blocking nicely.
Hoop is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rodriguez scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rodriguez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hoop is trying to control but can't.
Rodriguez slips a nice elbow through Hoop's hands, connecting with Hoop's forehead.
Hoop has hold of Rodriguez's hands but Rodriguez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rodriguez controlling the action here.
Rodriguez trying to control the action but Hoop is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoop wants to get back to full guard.
Rodriguez is looking to take a break and control but Hoop is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rodriguez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rodriguez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rodriguez is looking to stall here but Hoop recovers full guard.
Rodriguez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hoop is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Rodriguez preventing the sweep.
Hoop avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Hoop working for a triangle but Rodriguez defends it easily.
Rodriguez distracts Hoop with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rodriguez wanted to stand there but Hoop had control of the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Hoop keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rodriguez has his takedown stuffed
and Hoop connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hoop misses with a looping right.
Rodriguez misses with the combination.
Rodriguez fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rodriguez. Hoop does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hoop misses with a body shot
and Rodriguez counters with a series of strikes. Hoop will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hoop lands a jab to Rodriguez's midsection.
Hoop will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hoop has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rodriguez finds it's way round the side to connect with Hoop's head.
Hoop misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hoop sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Trent Hoop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richie Rodriguez.

Rodriguez clinches up with Hoop and pushes him back against the cage.

Hoop breaks from the clinch.
Richie Rodriguez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
No joy there for Hoop, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rodriguez tries to clinch there but Hoop circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richie Rodriguez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rodriguez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richie Rodriguez!