PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Hodges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randy Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couture has chosen Hodges got KOd by a RANDY walking into the cage last night... as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hodges
vs
Couture

189 cm
25
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
215 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

.: AFFAKETION :.
.: AFFAKETION :.

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Justin Hodges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Randy Couture!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Reed Andrews and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hodges drives through with a takedown into guard.
Couture 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.
Hodges working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Couture's head.
Hodges postures up in Couture's guard and throws a big left but Couture blocks it.
Hodges 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.
Couture manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hodges manages to get himself to full guard.
Hodges not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Couture thows a big elbow that misses.
Couture with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hodges looking to hit a scissor sweep but Couture is one step ahead there.
Hodges lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Couture!
Hodges sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Couture really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges with good strikes from the mount here!
Couture regains half guard.
Couture is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hodges is thwarting Couture's attempts to control the position.
Hodges seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Couture does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hodges wants to pass to mount but Couture is defending the position.
Couture keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Couture can do anything to dispel that myth.
Couture is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Couture avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hodges.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Couture throws a body punch but Hodges moves out of range.
Hodges avoids a punch combination nicely.
Couture drops his hands momentarily and Hodges takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Couture throws a right and a left that both miss.
Couture is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hodges sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Couture takes a jab right on the kisser.
Couture throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Couture throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Couture swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hodges slips a jab and a cross from Couture.
Hodges ducks under a wild hook from Couture.
Couture throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hodges misses with a low kick.
Hodges throws a jab when Couture was well out of range.
Hodges cracks Couture with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture takes one on the button.
A slow jab from Hodges misses its intended target.
Hodges slips a jab and a cross from Couture.
Hodges lands with a good body shot.
Couture looks to land a left hand but Hodges moved out of range nicely.
Hodges cracks a nice hook into Couture's ribs.
Hodges connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hodges is defended easily by Couture.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Couture throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Some wild striking there from Couture.
Hodges bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hodges cracks Couture with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hodges thows a left - swing and a miss!
Couture swinging wildly here.
Hodges scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hodges connects with a good right hand that stumbles Couture. Couture circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
No joy there for Hodges, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hodges throws a combination. Couture tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Couture staying out of range there.
Hodges swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Couture throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hodges with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hodges misses with the combination.
Couture looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Couture takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Couture throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Couture fails to land with a series of punches.
Couture cracks Hodges with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hodges darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Couture looks to land a left hand but Hodges moved out of range nicely.
Hodges uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Couture.
A swing and a miss from Couture.
Hodges slips under a jab from Couture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Hodges dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Couture swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hodges counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hodges slips a straight right by Couture.
Couture throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hodges connects with a nice looking jab.
Hodges closes this distance looking for a takedown but Couture circles away.
Hodges scores with a one two! Couture had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Couture showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hodges.
Couture avoids a punch combination nicely.
Couture shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nice straight punches there by Hodges. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hodges.
Hodges blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hodges is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Couture.
Hodges staying out of range there.
Couture might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Hodges shoots in for a takedown but Couture shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hodges bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Couture's head backwards.
Hodges ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Couture moves away.
Hodges looks to land a combination but Couture avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hodges shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Couture prevents any damage by holding on tight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hodges dominating with strikes here.
Hodges avoids the attempt from Couture to control.
Couture is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Couture is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hodges looking to control but Couture is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Hodges is landing with some decent strikes but Couture is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hodges lands a big shot there that rocks Couture but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Couture sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Couture tries to roll over but Hodges keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture is trying to control but can't.
Couture is staying active underneath Hodges, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hodges wants to pass to mount but Couture is defending the position.
Hodges is thwarting Couture's attempts to control the position.
Hodges wants to control but Couture is keeping him busy.
Couture is looking to improve his position.
Couture is in trouble now - Hodges has advanced to mount!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Couture wants to control but Hodges is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hodges looking to finish Couture with some ground and pound. This is bad for Couture!
Couture is looking to improve his position but Hodges isn't that keen on the idea.
Couture is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hodges tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Couture holds on for dear life, controlling Hodges's posture momentarily.

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.
Hodges trying to control but Couture is having none of it.
Couture is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couture wants to control but Hodges is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hodges lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Hodges looking to control but Couture is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Hodges dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Couture throws a right and a left that Hodges avoids nicely.
Couture misses with the combination.
Hodges connects with a right hand. Couture shakes it off.
Couture swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hodges ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Couture throws a series of punches but Hodges avoids them all with ease.
Couture throws a shot from downtown. Hodges moves away and avoids it.
Couture throws a series of punches but Hodges moves out of range.
Jab by Hodges.
Couture throws a sloppy body shot
and Couture takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hodges keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Couture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hodges misses with a looping left.
Couture misses with a double jab
and Hodges counters with a nice body shot.
Couture takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Couture moves forwards but Hodges connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Couture throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Hodges closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Couture wants to control but Hodges is keeping busy.
Hodges wants to lay and pray for a moment but Couture keeps working.
Couture is looking to improve his position.
Couture really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hodges. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Couture has hold of Hodges's hands but Hodges slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Couture gets full guard.
Hodges showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hodges trying to control the position from guard on top but Couture is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two 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.
Couture preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hodges tries to free his leg and advance position but Couture is retaining full guard.
Hodges throwing strikes from guard but Couture blocks nicely.
Couture is trying to control the position but Hodges postures up.
Hodges in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Couture throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Couture misses with a double jab
and Hodges counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hodges avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Randy Couture is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hodges scores with a jab to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hodges throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Couture was covering up waiting for the punch and Hodges finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Couture has control of Hodges's left arm, preventing Hodges from doing any damage.
Couture manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Couture looking to finish with strikes here!
Couture working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Hodges slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Justin Hodges overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Couture is pressing down on Hodges's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hodges is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture throwing shots but Hodges is blocking nicely.
Couture throwing shots but Hodges is blocking nicely.
Hodges tries to kick Couture off but Couture keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Couture missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Couture not landing any meaningful shots this time.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Couture lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hodges circles away quickly and effectively.
Couture fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Couture misses with a hook. Hodges ducked under it nicely.
Hodges takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Couture fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hodges dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hodges thows a left - swing and a miss!
Couture has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hodges scores with a nice strike.
Randy Couture has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A swing and a miss from Couture.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Hodges showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hodges 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Hodges!