PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Benny Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Koss Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rodriguez
vs
Rivers

175 cm
21
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

168 cm
23
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benny Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Koss Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rivers was well out of range. Poor timing from Rodriguez.
Rivers checks a leg kick.
Rodriguez scores with a nice body kick.
Rodriguez takes a swing at Rivers's ribcage but misses.
Rivers looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rivers moves out of range of the body kick from Rodriguez.
Rivers throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rodriguez.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rivers looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rivers tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rivers takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodriguez throws a leg kick but Rivers sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rivers moves away from the strike by Rodriguez.
Some wild striking there from Rodriguez.
Rivers moves out of range of the body kick from Rodriguez.
Rivers wants to clinch
and Rodriguez counters with a head kick. That will keep Rivers thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez thuds his shin into the meat of Rivers's side.
Rivers goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rodriguez throws a wild body kick that Rivers sees coming a mile off.
Rivers ducks under a wild hook from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez misses with a wild combination.
Rodriguez scores with a shot to the body.
Rivers wants to clinch up but Rodriguez keeps it at a distance.
Rivers takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rodriguez misses with a head kick.
Rivers tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodriguez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rodriguez tries to land a leg kick but Rivers saw it coming and moves away.
Rivers fails to land with a series of punches.
Rivers tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rodriguez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rodriguez throws a series of punches but Rivers avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rivers darts in and clinches Rodriguez up against the cage.

Rodriguez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivers tries to clinch there but Rodriguez circles away.
Rodriguez throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rivers stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

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

Rodriguez drags the fight down to the ground.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Rodriguez wants to sweep here but Rivers controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodriguez working a defensive guard here.
Rodriguez wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Benny Rodriguez wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Rodriguez feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rivers's calf.
Rivers blocks a head kick by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rivers tries to clinch but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Rodriguez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rodriguez punishes Rivers's body with a nice straight punch.
Rodriguez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rivers.
Rivers misses with the combination.
Rodriguez scores with a one two! Rivers had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rivers throws a body punch but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Rivers is looking to clinch.
Rivers wants to clinch but Rodriguez slips to the side
and Rodriguez counters with a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodriguez misses with a few strikes there.
Koss Rivers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rivers motions for Rodriguez to come forward. Rivers throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rivers slips under a jab.
Rivers lands a right hook to the body.
Rivers looks to clinch
and Rodriguez counters with a left and a right that stings Rivers.
Rivers moves out of range of the leg kick from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rivers manages to avoid it.
Rivers doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodriguez circles away.
Rivers wants to clinch up but Rodriguez keeps it at a distance.
Rivers tries to clinch but Rodriguez is having none of it.
Rodriguez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rodriguez throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rodriguez throws a shot to the body.
Rodriguez motions for Rivers to come forward. Rodriguez throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rivers fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rodriguez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benny Rodriguez dominated that round.
That's time! Rodriguez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rodriguez throws a head kick that misses.
A cross from Rivers lands.
Rivers dodges the punch combination from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rivers circles away quickly and effectively.
Rodriguez is looking to wear down Rivers with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Rivers throws a one two combo.
Rivers tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Rodriguez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rivers misses with the combination.

Rodriguez tries to keep at a distance but Rivers has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rivers using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rodriguez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rivers lands a left hand.

Rodriguez gets control of Rivers's arms and successfully pulls guard. Rodriguez will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Rodriguez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers wants to control from the top but Rodriguez keeps moving.
Rivers might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rodriguez kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Rivers won't allow Rodriguez to sweep him here.

Rodriguez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rivers doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rivers manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Rodriguez looking for a guillotine here but Rivers defends easily.
Rodriguez controls Rivers momentarily but Rivers frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez is working an open guard so Rivers takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Rivers tries to clinch up but Rodriguez circles away and keeps his distance.
Rodriguez moves out of range of the body kick from Rivers.
Benny Rodriguez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rivers blocks a head kick by Rodriguez.
Rivers ducks under a wild hook from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez looks for the body kick but Rivers saw that one coming.
Rodriguez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rivers moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rodriguez takes a swing at Rivers's ribcage but misses.
Rivers takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rivers lands a jab-cross combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rivers takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to take the fight to the mat but Rivers manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Rodriguez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rivers tries to clinch there but Rodriguez circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rivers looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rivers with a hook.
Rivers throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rivers lands with a nice combination. Rodriguez backs away looking to recover.
Rodriguez swats away the attempt to clinch by Rivers.
Rodriguez throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rodriguez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rivers sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rivers pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rivers blocks a head kick by Rodriguez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Rivers misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rivers tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rodriguez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rivers wants to clinch.
Rodriguez tries a head kick but it misses.
Rivers tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodriguez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rodriguez misses with a wild body shot.
Rodriguez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rivers blocks the body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick and Rivers moves out of range easily.
Rodriguez throws a right and a left that Rivers avoids nicely.
Rivers fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koss Rivers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rodriguez looks to land a body kick but Rivers moved away.
Rivers just misses with a punch to the body.
Rodriguez pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A head kick misses from Rodriguez.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rivers looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rivers tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rivers steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rodriguez.
Rivers tries to clinch but Rodriguez moves away
and Rodriguez counters with a good low kick that Rivers was not able to check.
Rivers blocks the body kick.
Rivers takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Rivers clinches up against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rodriguez can't get the takedown.
Rivers is looking to control Rodriguez's arms but Rodriguez gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rivers has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch.
Rodriguez is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rodriguez scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rivers in his tracks.
Rivers wants to clinch
and Rodriguez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rodriguez lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rivers will feel that in the morning.
Rivers throws a combination. Rodriguez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rivers moves in looking to clinch but Rodriguez pushes him off.
Rodriguez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rivers misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rodriguez throws a jab but it's blocked by Rivers.
Rodriguez slips a jab and a cross from Rivers.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick and Rivers moves out of range easily.
Rodriguez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rivers blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rodriguez throws a leg kick but Rivers moved away.
Rivers tries to clinch up.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rivers tries to clinch up but Rodriguez circles away and keeps his distance.
Rivers darts in trying to clinch
and Rodriguez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Benny Rodriguez is winning the standup battle so far.
Rodriguez throws a right hand that Rivers ducks under and follows up with a left that Rivers also avoids with ease.
Rodriguez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick and Rivers moves out of range easily.
Rivers doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodriguez circles away.
Rodriguez throws a head kick that misses.
Rivers lands a lovely overhand right.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick and Rivers moves out of range easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers wants to clinch up but Rodriguez keeps it at a distance.
Rivers is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rivers tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rodriguez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rivers tries to clinch up
and Rodriguez counters with a slapping leg kick.
Rodriguez lands a nice looking body shot.
Rivers avoids the head kick by Rodriguez.
Rivers wants to clinch.
Rodriguez swats away the attempt to clinch by Rivers.
Rivers lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rivers.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throws a right hand that Rodriguez ducks under and follows up with a left that Rodriguez also avoids with ease.
Rodriguez swats away the attempt to clinch by Rivers.
Rivers avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rodriguez!
Rivers throws a one two combo.
Rodriguez misses with a head kick.
Rodriguez connects with a looping right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rivers takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rivers displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rodriguez wants to land a leg kick but Rivers is out of range.
Rodriguez connects with a body shot.

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 Benny Rodriguez.
I think Rodriguez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

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