PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ben Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Djimon Mahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodriguez comes to the cage accompanied by Outlandish - Guantanamo . Djimon Mahama is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Rodriguez
vs
Mahama

187 cm
23
150 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

170 cm
27
153 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Broken Halo Pride Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Rodriguez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Djimon Mahama!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahama tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rodriguez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rodriguez.
Mahama gets underhooks to prevent Rodriguez's takedown attempt.

Mahama has hold of one of Rodriguez's legs. Rodriguez is fighting the takedown attempt but Mahama gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Rodriguez working for a triangle but Mahama defends it easily.

Mahama has gone for a leg lock! Rodriguez slips out almost immediately though and dives into Mahama's guard.

Mahama is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rodriguez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mahama can't keep his opponent in guard - Rodriguez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mahama looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez prevents Mahama from improving his position.

Rodriguez is trying to work for a kimura but Mahama is defending well.

Mahama is defending against the submission attempts here by Rodriguez.
Mahama is looking to escape.

Mahama looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rodriguez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mahama is pressing down on Rodriguez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Rodriguez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mahama looking for a sweep. Not yet Mahama, not yet.

Mahama 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.

Mahama looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Rodriguez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Rodriguez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mahama is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rodriguez, into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Mahama drops back looking for a leg! Rodriguez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rodriguez manages to kick Mahama off! Mahama jumps back into Rodriguez's guard.
Mahama must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mahama would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Rodriguez working for a triangle but Mahama defends it easily.

Rodriguez looking for a guillotine here but Mahama defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez has a closed guard, preventing Mahama from standing up.
Mahama postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Mahama wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Rodriguez's closed guard. He's half up but Rodriguez has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Rodriguez pivots and extends the arm, Mahama falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Rodriguez! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ben Rodriguez!
Ben Rodriguez is the new featherweight champion!