PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sasha Tugarinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hank Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tugarinov
vs
Rhodes

183 cm
26
228 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

183 cm
26
223 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

MadDogs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sasha Tugarinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hank Rhodes!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tugarinov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Tugarinov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hank Rhodes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rhodes lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Rhodes swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tugarinov.
Rhodes lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tugarinov is defended easily by Rhodes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tugarinov has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasha Tugarinov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tugarinov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tugarinov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rhodes with a nice cross.
Rhodes lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nice jab there from Rhodes.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rhodes shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tugarinov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Rhodes throws a leg kick but Tugarinov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rhodes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rhodes wants it to stay on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rhodes forces Tugarinov back against the ropes and clinches.
Tugarinov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rhodes fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rhodes lands a lovely overhand right.

Rhodes instigates a clinch.
Tugarinov takes a shot to the head.
Tugarinov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Tugarinov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rhodes smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes connects with a single shot there.

Rhodes moves into the clinch successfully.
Rhodes lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tugarinov backwards.
Tugarinov tries to pull guard but Rhodes won't allow it.
Tugarinov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tugarinov keeps control of Rhodes as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes is trying to force a seperation but Tugarinov has the dominant position.
Tugarinov fails to pull guard.
Rhodes has had enough of the clinch but Tugarinov keeps him there for the moment.
A frustrated look appears on Rhodes's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Rhodes manages to break the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rhodes throws a good cross that connects.
Rhodes cracks Tugarinov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Rhodes dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fighters circle momentarily. Rhodes darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Tugarinov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Tugarinov shoots in for a takedown but Rhodes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rhodes tries to clinch but Tugarinov moves out of range.
Rhodes bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Tugarinov's head.
Rhodes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rhodes cracks Tugarinov with an uppercut from hell and Tugarinov crumples to the canvas, he's out! Oh no, he's recovered and he's grabbed one of Rhodes's legs and pulled him into guard. The ref thought about stopping it there but he's let it go - good reffing!

Tugarinov is rocked!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rhodes's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Oh Tugarinov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rhodes trying to control but Tugarinov is working from the bottom.
Rhodes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rhodes with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tugarinov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rhodes.
Tugarinov seems to have got his legs back now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes throwing strikes but missing.
Rhodes throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rhodes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Tugarinov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rhodes with a nice head shot there.
Rhodes throwing strikes but missing.
Rhodes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rhodes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rhodes makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rhodes wants to pass the guard but Tugarinov is keeping the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rhodes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tugarinov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rhodes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rhodes landing some decent shots from guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rhodes working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rhodes scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tugarinov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rhodes defends it easily.
Rhodes content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Rhodes chips away with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rhodes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Tugarinov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rhodes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rhodes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rhodes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tugarinov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Tugarinov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rhodes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rhodes landing some decent shots from guard.
Rhodes chips away with some ground and pound.

Tugarinov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rhodes cracks Tugarinov with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Rhodes throwing strikes from guard but Tugarinov blocks nicely.
Rhodes is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rhodes trying to control but Tugarinov is working from the bottom.
Rhodes with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rhodes looking to pass the guard.
Rhodes chips away with some ground and pound.
Rhodes tries to free his leg and advance position but Tugarinov is retaining full guard.
Rhodes lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Rhodes got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tugarinov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rhodes has managed to get both his arms back between Tugarinov's legs - danger averted.
Rhodes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rhodes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rhodes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tugarinov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rhodes postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rhodes thows a big elbow that misses.
Rhodes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rhodes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rhodes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rhodes distracts Tugarinov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rhodes scoring with some ground and pound.
Rhodes thows a big elbow that misses.

Tugarinov has his foot on Rhodes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rhodes works his way back into a safe position though.

Tugarinov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rhodes defends well.
Rhodes trying to control but Tugarinov is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rhodes landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rhodes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Rhodes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tugarinov has a takedown stuffed.
Rhodes tries to clinch but Tugarinov is having none of it.
Decent striking displayed by Rhodes there.
Rhodes connects with a looping right hand.
Horrible takedown by Tugarinov or perhaps it was just good defense by Rhodes which made him look bad.
Rhodes smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rhodes closes the distance and lands a vicious right hand that drops Tugarinov! Rhodes dives in looking to finish! Tugarinov is still trying to defend himself but he's taking too many shots and the referee has no choice but to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:04 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hank Rhodes!