PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mazaraika Akram (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mazaraika Akram has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rodriguez
vs
Akram

185 cm
23
178 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

194 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mazaraika Akram!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Rodriguez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rodriguez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Rodriguez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rodriguez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Akram keeping full guard, as Rodriguez tries to pass.
Rodriguez is working hard here to advance position.
Rodriguez advances position into side control!
Akram is pushing Rodriguez's head away, looking to escape. Rodriguez manages to hold on to the position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez tries to move to mount but Akram blocks the move with his legs.
Akram 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.

Rodriguez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akram, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rodriguez looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Rodriguez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Akram is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Rodriguez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akram, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akram, who protects the arm well.

Rodriguez tries for a kimura but Akram is defending well.
Rodriguez is breathing heavily.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Akram has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Rodriguez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akram, who protects the arm well.

Rodriguez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Akram knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

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

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Akram has escaped the position, nice work there.
Akram is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Rodriguez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rodriguez looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Rodriguez dominated that round.
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.

Rodriguez keeps the fight on the outside.
Rodriguez misses with a double jab.
Rodriguez fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez shoots for a double leg takedown but Akram sprawls well. He's pushed Rodriguez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Rodriguez looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rodriguez trying to mount his opponent but Akram defends it.

Rodriguez is working for a submission of some sort.
Rodriguez prevents Akram from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Rodriguez has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Akram defend it? Rodriguez steps over the head and cranks it - Akram is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Rodriguez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Matt Rodriguez!