PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Derrick Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan Rodriguez will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hicks
vs
Rodriguez

170 cm
22
179 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
21
173 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Derrick Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ryan Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A good leg kick by Rodriguez.
No luck for Hicks with that takedown attempt.
Rodriguez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Hicks counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks looking to pass the guard.
Rodriguez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hicks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodriguez is keeping the position for now.

Hicks drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rodriguez dives on top into guard.
Rodriguez works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hicks is trying to get back to full guard.
Hicks trying to get back to full guard but Rodriguez takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Rodriguez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hicks is looking to escape.
Hicks working to try and regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to control the pace but Hicks is squirming around nicely.
Hicks keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Rodriguez landing strikes from the mount and Hicks is in trouble!
Hicks is looking to get to half guard.
Hicks is breathing heavily.
Rodriguez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hicks is looking to escape.

Rodriguez is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Hicks feints and as Rodriguez raises his hands in defense, Hicks changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Hicks has gone for a leg lock! Rodriguez slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hicks's guard.
Rodriguez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hicks is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez slips nicely into half guard.
Rodriguez performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Rodriguez wants to take a breather but Hicks is having none of it.

Rodriguez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hicks doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rodriguez.
Hicks is staying active underneath Rodriguez, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez passes the guard and advances to mount!
Rodriguez wants to stand but Hicks is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Rodriguez wants to control the pace but Hicks is squirming around nicely.
Hicks is looking to improve his position but Rodriguez isn't that keen on the idea.
Rodriguez looking to control and managing it successfully.
Rodriguez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hicks bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

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.
Hicks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rodriguez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hicks preventing the sweep.
Hicks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rodriguez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Hicks postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rodriguez is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hicks, into his guard.
Hicks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodriguez is one step ahead there.

Hicks throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Derrick Hicks will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hicks bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The ground and pound from Hicks seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Rodriguez tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Hicks tries for a kimura but Rodriguez is defending well.
Hicks landing a few strikes.
Rodriguez throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.

Hicks looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Rodriguez is trying to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodriguez gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Rodriguez tries to hold on but Hicks postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hicks goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Rodriguez turns into him and now he's in Hicks's guard.
Rodriguez wants to stand but Hicks is controlling his posture from full guard.

Hicks 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.
Hicks wants to sweep but no luck.
Rodriguez advances position into side control!
Hicks is looking for a sweep.
Hicks is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rodriguez's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Hicks slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hicks throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hicks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hicks is working hard here to advance position.

Hicks working for a triangle but Rodriguez defends it easily.

Hicks 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hicks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodriguez is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez passes Hicks's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rodriguez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hicks does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Hicks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hicks wants to improve his position but Rodriguez is controlling well.

Hicks is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Rodriguez is tapping! Great win for Hicks!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:36 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Derrick Hicks!