PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wojtek Svalbard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mickey Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Svalbard
vs
Rodriguez

200 cm
26
220 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

190 cm
29
215 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wojtek Svalbard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mickey Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Winston Howard and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Svalbard closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rodriguez quickly recovers to half guard.
Svalbard not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.

Rodriguez manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Rodriguez tries to clinch but Svalbard moves out of range.

Rodriguez moves into the clinch successfully.
Rodriguez keeps control of Svalbard as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.

Rodriguez has closed the distance and engaged Svalbard in a clinch.

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.
Mickey Rodriguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rodriguez moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch.
Rodriguez is looking to clinch but Svalbard is avoiding it.
Rodriguez is looking to clinch but Svalbard is avoiding it.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Svalbard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Rodriguez moves into the clinch.

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rodriguez tries to clinch up but Svalbard circles away and keeps his distance.

Rodriguez gets caught napping as Svalbard dives in and scores a takedown. Rodriguez manages to retain guard.

Rodriguez scrambles and gets back to his feet.
A clash of legs there as Rodriguez blocks the low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodriguez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch.

Rodriguez moves into range and clinches up with Svalbard.

Svalbard jumps into guard, dragging Rodriguez to the mat.

Rodriguez stands up and waves to Svalbard to follow him.

Svalbard closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rodriguez prevents Svalbard from improving position.
Rodriguez is trying to buck Svalbard off.
Svalbard knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rodriguez on the ground.
Svalbard fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rodriguez is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Svalbard wants to stand but Rodriguez has his arm trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Svalbard tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Svalbard has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rodriguez wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Rodriguez bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Svalbard shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.
Svalbard trying to mount his opponent but Rodriguez defends it.

Rodriguez manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Svalbard gets tackled into the cage by Rodriguez. Rodriguez maintains the clinch.

Rodriguez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Rodriguez takes the fight into the clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Rodriguez has taken the fight to the clinch.

Svalbard jumps guard and drags Rodriguez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Svalbard is trying to keep Rodriguez in close.

Rodriguez stands and steps away. Svalbard gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Rodriguez drives through and clinches with Svalbard against the cage.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Svalbard closes the distance and clinches.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Svalbard swats away the attempt to clinch by Rodriguez.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodriguez tries to clinch there but Svalbard circles away.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svalbard has a couple of punches blocked by Rodriguez.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Svalbard has taken the fight to the clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Svalbard paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Svalbard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rodriguez wants to clinch up but Svalbard keeps it at a distance.

Svalbard darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Rodriguez makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Svalbard looks to land a left hand but Rodriguez moved out of range nicely.
Rodriguez tries to clinch but Svalbard moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Rodriguez has managed to clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rodriguez rushes Svalbard and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rodriguez breaks from the clinch.

Svalbard feints and as Rodriguez raises his hands in defense, Svalbard changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mickey Rodriguez will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Svalbard fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rodriguez sprawls well initially but Svalbard persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Svalbard wants to stand up but Rodriguez has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Rodriguez manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Rodriguez is looking to clinch but Svalbard is avoiding it.
Rodriguez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Svalbard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Rodriguez rushes Svalbard and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch.

Rodriguez instigates a clinch.

Rodriguez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Svalbard fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rodriguez to the ground. Svalbard is now in Rodriguez's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rodriguez kicks Svalbard off and gets to his feet.
Svalbard throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Rodriguez clinches up against the cage.

Rodriguez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wojtek Svalbard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rodriguez rushes Svalbard and presses him up against the cage.

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.

Svalbard closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rodriguez quickly recovers to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez is trying to stand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rodriguez pushes Svalbard off and gets back to his feet.
Rodriguez wants to clinch up but Svalbard keeps it at a distance.
Svalbard misses with a body shot.
Rodriguez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Svalbard pushes Rodriguez up against the cage in a clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Svalbard looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Rodriguez!
Rodriguez squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Svalbard is standing up, even though he is in mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Svalbard fails to land with a series of punches.

Svalbard shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Svalbard showed some decent athleticism there.
Wojtek Svalbard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez pushes Svalbard off and gets back to his feet.
Rodriguez doesn't manage to clinch there - Svalbard circles away.

Rodriguez drives through and clinches with Svalbard against the cage.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rodriguez closes the distance and pushes Svalbard back into the cage.
Mickey Rodriguez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Svalbard pulls guard successfully.
Rodriguez won't allow Svalbard to sweep him here.

Rodriguez stands up and waves to Svalbard to follow him.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Svalbard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Rodriguez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.
Svalbard throws a head kick that misses.

Svalbard looking to score a takedown here. Rodriguez is defending well but Svalbard drives through and ends up in Rodriguez's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez kicks Svalbard off and gets to his feet.

Rodriguez pushes Svalbard up against the cage in a clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

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

Rodriguez breaks from the clinch.
Svalbard circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mickey Rodriguez seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Rodriguez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Svalbard, pushing him back against the cage.

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

Svalbard takes the fight into the clinch.

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.

Svalbard takes the fight into the clinch.
Svalbard tries to stall but Rodriguez uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Svalbard has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Svalbard works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez wriggles free and stands up.

Rodriguez clinches with his opponent.

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.

Rodriguez closes the distance and clinches.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Svalbard rushes Rodriguez and presses him up against the cage.

Rodriguez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Svalbard tries to bum rush Rodriguez with a series of wild strikes but Rodriguez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rodriguez tries to clinch but Svalbard moves out of range.
Rodriguez wants to clinch.

Rodriguez closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Svalbard is trying to push Rodriguez away but Rodriguez has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Rodriguez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Svalbard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rodriguez wants to clinch up but Svalbard keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mickey Rodriguez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Svalbard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Svalbard swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rodriguez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Svalbard, pushing him back against the cage.

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

Rodriguez rushes Svalbard and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rodriguez doesn't manage to clinch there - Svalbard circles away.

Svalbard shoots in and bounces Rodriguez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Svalbard prevents Rodriguez from getting back to his feet.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Svalbard from controlling successfully.

Rodriguez kicks Svalbard off and gets to his feet.

Svalbard shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Svalbard prevents Rodriguez from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodriguez has one foot on Svalbard's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Svalbard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Svalbard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Svalbard jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

Svalbard drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Rodriguez scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Rodriguez clinches up against the cage.

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

Svalbard clinches up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.

Rodriguez moves into the clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rodriguez moves in looking to clinch but Svalbard pushes him off.
Mickey Rodriguez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Rodriguez has closed the distance and engaged Svalbard in a clinch.

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez has taken the fight to the clinch.

Svalbard gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Rodriguez regains guard.

Rodriguez wriggles free and stands up.
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Svalbard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A swing and a miss from Svalbard.

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

Rodriguez breaks from the clinch.
Rodriguez is looking to clinch.

Svalbard bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Rodriguez explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Rodriguez closes the distance and clinches.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Svalbard circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rodriguez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rodriguez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez clinches up against the cage.

Rodriguez breaks from the clinch.

Svalbard is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rodriguez's half guard.
Rodriguez tries to kick Svalbard off but Svalbard keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Rodriguez manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Rodriguez gets a clinch.

Svalbard decides to pull guard.

Rodriguez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Svalbard swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Svalbard scores a takedown into full mount!
Rodriguez is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svalbard fails to take his opponent's back.
Rodriguez is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez stops Svalbard from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Rodriguez really wants to buck Svalbard off and get back to his feet.
Svalbard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Svalbard looking to control but Rodriguez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Wojtek Svalbard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rodriguez is trying to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mickey Rodriguez.
I've got Rodriguez 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mickey Rodriguez!