PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michel Rodalgo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ethan Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ethan Sakuraba will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Rodalgo
vs
Sakuraba

172 cm
22
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION
THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION

[MMABR]Terror Trition[†CoE†]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Michel Rodalgo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ethan Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paul Aken and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rodalgo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakuraba is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Rodalgo wants to control the pace but Sakuraba is squirming around nicely.
Sakuraba is desperately trying to improve his position but Rodalgo has a good base and remains in mount.

Rodalgo is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Sakuraba has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Sakuraba!
Rodalgo wants to sweep here but Sakuraba controlling him for the moment.
Rodalgo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sakuraba throws and elbow that misses. Rodalgo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sakuraba's guard. Nice move by Rodalgo!
Sakuraba is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodalgo trying to move into half guard but instead Sakuraba has managed to sweep!
Sakuraba controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Sakuraba has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rodalgo is proving hard to escape from.
Rodalgo is adopting a defensive guard.
Sakuraba showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Rodalgo keeps moving.

That's two 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rodalgo is on top in guard.
Rodalgo tries to free his leg and advance position but Sakuraba is retaining full guard.
Rodalgo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodalgo slips nicely into half guard.
Rodalgo wants to control but Sakuraba is keeping him busy.
Rodalgo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sakuraba slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sakuraba keeping full guard, as Rodalgo tries to pass.
Rodalgo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sakuraba wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodalgo looking to pass the guard.
Rodalgo wants to control from the top but Sakuraba keeps moving.

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

Rodalgo shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodalgo wants to pass the guard but Sakuraba is defending well.
Rodalgo trying to control from half guard but Sakuraba is working away.
Rodalgo wants to pass the guard but Sakuraba is defending well.
Sakuraba controlling the position well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sakuraba gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michel Rodalgo 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.

Rodalgo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba shoots in for a double leg but Rodalgo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Rodalgo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rodalgo wants to control but Sakuraba is keeping him busy.
Rodalgo wants to free his trapped foot but Sakuraba is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rodalgo wants to control but Sakuraba is keeping him busy.
Sakuraba won't allow Rodalgo to pass to mount.
Sakuraba wants to get back to full guard.
Rodalgo content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Sakuraba won't allow Rodalgo to pass to mount.
Rodalgo with the ground and pound but Sakuraba uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
No luck for Sakuraba with that takedown attempt.
Michel Rodalgo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan Sakuraba.
Sakuraba wants to clinch up but Rodalgo keeps it at a distance.

Rodalgo darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Rodalgo wants to control but Sakuraba is keeping him busy.
Rodalgo trying to pass the guard but Sakuraba defending well.
Rodalgo trying to control from half guard but Sakuraba is working away.
Rodalgo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Rodalgo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodalgo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sakuraba keeping control of the position.
Rodalgo blocks the strikes from Sakuraba.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Rodalgo drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Sakuraba takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Sakuraba wants to control but Rodalgo postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodalgo is looking to take a break and control but Sakuraba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Rodalgo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Sakuraba is pushing Rodalgo's head away, looking to escape. Rodalgo manages to hold on to the position though.
Rodalgo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sakuraba keeps working.
Sakuraba prevents Rodalgo from improving position.

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.

Rodalgo swings around for an armbar but Sakuraba sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Rodalgo's guard.
Sakuraba trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Rodalgo manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Sakuraba wants to get back to his feet but Rodalgo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sakuraba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodalgo is one step ahead there.
Rodalgo trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sakuraba is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michel Rodalgo dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Rodalgo gets a takedown into half guard.
Sakuraba is trying to stand up here but Rodalgo is controlling him well.
Rodalgo wants to free his trapped foot but Sakuraba is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rodalgo trying to control from half guard but Sakuraba is working away.
Rodalgo working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Sakuraba's thigh. Sakuraba counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Rodalgo has gone for a leg lock! Sakuraba slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rodalgo's guard.
Sakuraba preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba looking to sit in guard and control but Rodalgo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rodalgo drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sakuraba manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rodalgo has Sakuraba in his guard.
Sakuraba wants to stand but Rodalgo is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sakuraba is looking to advance position but Rodalgo has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Sakuraba defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Rodalgo.
Sakuraba regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is trying to control but can't.
Sakuraba is trying to get back to full guard.
Rodalgo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rodalgo trying to pass the guard but Sakuraba defending well.
Sakuraba is concentrating on defense, preventing Rodalgo from advancing position.
Rodalgo is looking to stall here but Sakuraba recovers full guard.
Rodalgo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

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.
Rodalgo trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Sakuraba manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Sakuraba trying to control but Rodalgo is working from the bottom.
Michel Rodalgo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodalgo has a closed guard, preventing Sakuraba from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ethan Sakuraba.
Well Rodalgo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michel Rodalgo!