PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rubiao Macarenco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Macarenco is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Eye of the Tiger. This should be fireworks!

Rodriguez
vs
Macarenco

170 cm
19
142 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

159 cm
27
135 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rubiao Macarenco!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Alexandre Firmino and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Macarenco stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Macarenco throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Macarenco rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodriguez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Macarenco tries a head kick but it misses.

Rodriguez drives through and clinches with Macarenco against the cage.
Macarenco wants to get back to striking at distance but Rodriguez won't allow it.

Rodriguez is trying to trip Macarenco. He has hold of a leg but Macarenco is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Rodriguez persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rodriguez throwing strikes but missing.
Rodriguez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Rodriguez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rodriguez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rodriguez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rodriguez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Macarenco is looking to stand up but Rodriguez isn't so interested in that idea.
Rodriguez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Macarenco is looking to stand up but Rodriguez isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Macarenco is keeping the position for now.

Rodriguez drops back looking for a leg! Macarenco is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Macarenco manages to kick Rodriguez off! Rodriguez jumps back into Macarenco's guard.
Macarenco is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rodriguez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Macarenco wants to get back to his feet but Rodriguez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodriguez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rodriguez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rodriguez trying to control but Macarenco is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez is looking to work some ground and pound but Macarenco has wrist control.
Macarenco is looking to stand up but Rodriguez isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a strike but Macarenco rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rodriguez has his foot on Macarenco's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Macarenco works his way back into a safe position though.
Rodriguez has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Rodriguez wants to stand up but Macarenco is controlling him.
Macarenco wanted to stand there but Rodriguez had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Macarenco throws a series of punches but Rodriguez moves out of range.

Rodriguez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rodriguez creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Macarenco's defenses.
Macarenco gets underhooks to prevent Rodriguez's takedown attempt.
Macarenco on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Macarenco tries to break free but Rodriguez pushes him back against the cage.
Macarenco is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rodriguez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Macarenco after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez lands an elbow inside that Macarenco shrugs off.

It looks like Rubiao Macarenco has been cut.
Rodriguez trying to land knees to the body.
Rodriguez gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rodriguez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Macarenco is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rodriguez tries to land knees in the clinch but Macarenco avoids the damage to the body.
Rodriguez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Macarenco's efforts to push away.
Macarenco is trying to push Rodriguez away but Rodriguez has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Macarenco is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez is controlling him.
Rodriguez lands an elbow inside.
Rodriguez is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Macarenco is defending well for now.
Rodriguez digs a right hand underneath Macarenco's ribcage. Macarenco let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rodriguez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Macarenco.
Macarenco wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodriguez lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Macarenco backwards.
Rodriguez tries to land knees in the clinch but Macarenco avoids the damage to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodriguez prevents Macarenco from breaking the clinch.
Macarenco tries to circle away but Rodriguez has him pinned against the cage.
Rodriguez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Macarenco avoids it.
Rodriguez lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Rodriguez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rubiao Macarenco's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rodriguez moves into the clinch successfully.
Macarenco is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez is controlling him.
Macarenco avoiding damage as Rodriguez throws knees to the body.

Rodriguez gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rodriguez stops Macarenco from getting back to his feet.
Rafael Rodriguez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rodriguez trying to pass the guard but Macarenco defending well.
Macarenco tries to kick Rodriguez off but Rodriguez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Rodriguez trying to mount his opponent but Macarenco defends it.
Macarenco is looking to escape.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura but Macarenco is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rodriguez to get the leverage.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to mount his opponent but Macarenco defends it.

Macarenco makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Macarenco misses with a two punch combination.
Macarenco lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Rodriguez gets a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Rodriguez scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rodriguez lands an elbow inside.
Rodriguez is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Macarenco is defending well for now.
Rodriguez looking for a takedown.
Rodriguez creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Macarenco's defenses.
Macarenco working hard to break the clinch.
Macarenco is trying to force a seperation but Rodriguez has the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Macarenco avoids it.
Macarenco wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Macarenco takes an elbow to the temple.

That has opened up Rubiao Macarenco's cut even more.
Rodriguez lands a nice elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rodriguez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Macarenco.
A left hand lands to the body for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez pushes Macarenco back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rodriguez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Macarenco avoids it.
Rodriguez is trying to drag Macarenco to the mat but Macarenco just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rodriguez lands a body shot in the clinch.
Rodriguez tries to score a body lock takedown but Macarenco shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez keeps control of Macarenco as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Macarenco avoids a wild elbow strike from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Macarenco is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rodriguez goes for a takedown attempt but Macarenco pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Macarenco tries a head kick but it misses.
Macarenco misses with a wild combination.

Rodriguez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rodriguez looking for a takedown.
Rodriguez tries to land knees in the clinch but Macarenco avoids the damage to the body.
Rodriguez prevents Macarenco from breaking the clinch.
Macarenco prevents the takedown attempt.
Rodriguez tries to land knees in the clinch but Macarenco avoids the damage to the body.
Rodriguez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Macarenco avoids it.
Rodriguez wants a takedown.
Rodriguez is looking to take this one to the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Macarenco pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rodriguez can't get the takedown.
Rodriguez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Macarenco pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Macarenco is trying to break free.
Rodriguez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Macarenco pulls his leg out and moves away.
Macarenco lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Macarenco tries a head kick but it misses.
Macarenco misses with a jab, cross combination.
Macarenco throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rodriguez.
Macarenco throws a series of punches but Rodriguez moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A combination from Macarenco does no damage.
Macarenco misses with a head kick.
Rodriguez blocks a head kick by Macarenco.
A punch combination from Macarenco misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rafael Rodriguez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rubiao Macarenco's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt - Macarenco sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Macarenco throws a nice looking combination but Rodriguez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Macarenco.
Macarenco throws a head kick that misses.
Macarenco misses with a few strikes there.
A punch combination from Macarenco misses.
Macarenco looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Rodriguez rushes Macarenco and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but Macarenco manages to get underhooks.
Rodriguez lands an elbow just above Macarenco 's eye.
Macarenco takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rodriguez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Macarenco fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sloppy strikes from Macarenco. Those never looked like landing.
Rodriguez throws a series of punches but Macarenco avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodriguez drives through and clinches with Macarenco against the cage.
Rodriguez lands with a left to the head.
Macarenco is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez has him pressed against the cage.
Rodriguez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Macarenco prevents it.
Macarenco tries to circle away but Rodriguez has him pinned against the cage.
Rafael Rodriguez has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Macarenco has had enough of the clinch but Rodriguez keeps him there for the moment.
Rodriguez wants to take the fight to the mat but Macarenco manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Macarenco wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rodriguez has him pressed against the cage.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Macarenco is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez is controlling him.
Rodriguez missing with knees to the body.
Rodriguez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Macarenco can't break the clinch.
Macarenco can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Macarenco wants to break free but Rodriguez has control.
Rodriguez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Macarencos head.
Rodriguez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rodriguez lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rodriguez lands a damaging elbow.

The cut above Rubiao Macarenco's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Macarenco blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Macarenco tries to circle away but Rodriguez has him pinned against the cage.
Rodriguez utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Macarenco is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez has him pressed against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez can't get the takedown.
Rodriguez tries to land knees in the clinch but Macarenco avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco tries to circle away but Rodriguez has him pinned against the cage.
Macarenco is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez is controlling him.
Rodriguez trying to land knees to the body.
Rodriguez prevents Macarenco from breaking the clinch.
Rodriguez is looking to take this one to the mat.

Rodriguez has picked Macarenco up - he's going for a ride! Rodriguez dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Rodriguez wants to take a breather but Macarenco is having none of it.
Macarenco pushes Rodriguez off looking to stand but Rodriguez dives back in and keeps control.
Macarenco is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Macarenco keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rodriguez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Macarenco's head.
Rodriguez throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Macarenco to regain full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco wants to stand up but Rodriguez is controlling him.
Rodriguez not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Macarenco is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rodriguez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Rodriguez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Macarenco has his feet on Rodriguez's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Macarenco throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Macarenco misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rubiao Macarenco seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Macarenco tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rubiao Macarenco has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Rodriguez takes the fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rafael Rodriguez.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rodriguez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Rodriguez!
During a confident post fight interview, Rafael Rodriguez thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.