PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jaime Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zero Kazama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rodriguez
vs
Kazama

176 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
18
156 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jaime Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zero Kazama!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez wants to clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Kazama gets the takedown into side control.
Rodriguez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kazama wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Kazama tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kazama throws an elbow but Rodriguez slips to the side and avoids it well.

Kazama working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kazama wants to control but Rodriguez is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazama staying calm.
Rodriguez struggling a bit here.
Kazama scores with a couple of short elbows.

Kazama is trying to get an arm triangle but Rodriguez is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Rodriguez's face as Kazama controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazama tries to advance to mount but Rodriguez instead regains half guard.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.
Kazama wants to control but Rodriguez is keeping him busy.

Rodriguez is defending against the submission attempts here by Kazama.
Rodriguez missing with punches from the bottom.
Kazama seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazama is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kazama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rodriguez's head.
Rodriguez is not content to let Kazama control the position.

That's four 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.
Kazama content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kazama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rodriguez keeps working.
Kazama performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kazama is trying to control the action in half guard but Rodriguez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Zero Kazama.
Rodriguez tries to clinch but Kazama is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zero Kazama dominated that 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.

Rodriguez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rodriguez fails with an attempt to clinch.

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

Kazama pulls Rodriguez into guard.

Kazama is working an open guard so Rodriguez takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kazama tries for a takedown but Rodriguez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rodriguez tries to clinch but Kazama moves out of range.

Rodriguez has managed to clinch.
Kazama tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rodriguez smiles and moves away.

Rodriguez clinches up against the cage.

Kazama drags the fight down to the ground.
Rodriguez trying to control but Kazama is working from the bottom.
Kazama is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Rodriguez tries to stand but Kazama is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Kazama shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kazama closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rodriguez circles away.
Jaime Rodriguez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zero Kazama.
Rodriguez blocks a head kick by Kazama.
Kazama avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kazama tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rodriguez swivels and escapes.
Jaime Rodriguez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kazama looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Rodriguez!
Rodriguez takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Kazama goes for an armbar but Rodriguez turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Rodriguez.
Kazama thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Kazama looking for a sweep. Not yet Kazama, not yet.
Kazama has a closed guard, preventing Rodriguez from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kazama has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rodriguez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rodriguez slips nicely into half guard.
Kazama is looking to control Rodriguez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kazama avoid being mounted?
Kazama is controlling Rodriguez's trapped leg to prevent Rodriguez from advancing to side control.
Kazama is trying to maintain the position but Rodriguez is very close to passing his half guard.
Kazama works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazama wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kazama pulls Rodriguez in to control the position.
Rodriguez wanted to stand there but Kazama had control of the position.

Kazama kicks Rodriguez off and gets to his feet.
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kazama paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kazama fails with the takedown

and Rodriguez counters by clinching up.

Rodriguez jumps guard and drags Kazama to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodriguez trying to keep a closed guard but Kazama is proving a slippery customer.
Kazama is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kazama postures up and lands a big shot to Rodriguez's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Kazama from controlling successfully.
Rodriguez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kazama accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kazama seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Zero Kazama will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kazama paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Kazama instigates a clinch.
Kazama tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kazama prevents the takedown attempt.
Kazama has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rodriguez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Kazama pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kazama shoots in and bounces Rodriguez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kazama prevents Rodriguez from getting back to his feet.
Kazama sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rodriguez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kazama is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazama controlling from the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Kazama from controlling successfully.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kazama might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rodriguez kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Zero Kazama.
Rodriguez darts in trying to clinch
and Rodriguez takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kazama cracks Rodriguez with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kazama shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rodriguez but Rodriguez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jaime Rodriguez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zero Kazama.
Kazama lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kazama doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rodriguez counters by clinching up.
Kazama gets underhooks to prevent Rodriguez's takedown attempt.
Rodriguez misses with some punches.

Kazama manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kazama controlling Rodriguez's posture.
Kazama working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodriguez.

Kazama looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.
Kazama pulls Rodriguez in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rodriguez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kazama managing to control the position.
Kazama not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kazama looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodriguez is one step ahead there.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Zero Kazama wasn't active enough on the ground.

Rodriguez forces Kazama back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kazama circles away from the clinch attempt

and Kazama decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rodriguez's guard.
Rodriguez trying to control the position.
Zero Kazama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kazama throwing strikes from guard but Rodriguez blocks nicely.
Zero Kazama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodriguez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kazama content to stall in guard here.
Jaime Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Zero Kazama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kazama winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zero Kazama!