PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Verson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Rogers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jim Rogers struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 146.3lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Jim Rogers has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Verson
vs
Rogers

173 cm
25
150 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

188 cm
25
160 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Charlie Wang's Nutrition and 95 % Laundry

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 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rodrigo Verson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jim Rogers!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rogers wants to clinch but Verson slips to the side
and Verson counters with a series of strikes. Rogers will be more careful next time no doubt.
Verson shoots for a takedown but Rogers saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Verson shoots in looking for a takedown but Rogers manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Verson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Verson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rogers counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrigo Verson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Verson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rogers connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Horrible takedown by Verson or perhaps it was just good defense by Rogers which made him look bad.
Rogers stuffs the takedown.
Rogers fails in his attempt to clinch.
Verson circles away from the clinch attempt.
No luck for Verson with that takedown attempt.
Verson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rogers moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Verson tries for a takedown but Rogers sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Rogers has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rogers lands with a light punch inside.
Rogers is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Verson is keeping busy.

Verson breaks from the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Rogers as Verson shoots in.
Verson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Verson is breathing heavily.

Verson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rogers manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Verson preventing the sweep.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Verson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rogers keeping moving, preventing Verson from controlling successfully.
Verson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rogers is trying to keep Verson in close.
Verson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Verson pushing down on Rogers's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Verson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rogers defends it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Verson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Verson is working for a kimura but Rogers is defending it quite comfortably.

Verson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rogers is just riding it out for now. Verson eventually gives up the hold.
Rogers has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Verson is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Verson 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.
Verson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Verson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rogers defends it well.
Verson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Verson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rogers defending well though.

Verson is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Rogers is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rodrigo Verson!
Rodrigo Verson took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Charlie Wang's Nutrition and 95 % Laundry for their support in the buildup to the fight.