PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ariobaldo Tavarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lucio Rodrigues (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodrigues has chosen Sandstorm as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tavarez
vs
Rodrigues

181 cm
26
200 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

180 cm
30
197 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ariobaldo Tavarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lucio Rodrigues!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Paulo Santos and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigues uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tavarez.
Rodrigues shoots in but Tavarez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tavarez tries to clinch up but Rodrigues circles away and keeps his distance.
Rodrigues tries for a takedown but Tavarez circles away easily
and Tavarez counters with an outside leg kick.
Tavarez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Rodrigues clinches with his opponent.
Tavarez landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tavarez content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Tavarez lands a shot to the body.
Rodrigues blocks an uppercut.
Rodrigues makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rodrigues tries to throw a body punch but Tavarez avoids it by throwing Rodrigues back against the cage.
Rodrigues taking a breather.
Rodrigues tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tavarez's elbow.
Rodrigues fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavarez prevents the takedown attempt.
Ariobaldo Tavarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lucio Rodrigues.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rodrigues blocks it with crossed arms.
Rodrigues is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tavarez gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tavarez lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Lucio Rodrigues has been cut.
Tavarez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rodrigues lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rodrigues misses with some punches.
Rodrigues lands with a short shot to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tavarez throws an elbow but misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rodrigues.
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!
Tavarez landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rodrigues looks winded!
Tavarez pushes Rodrigues back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavarez scores with a shoulder strike.
Rodrigues tries for a takedown. No joy.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tavarez creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but Rodrigues blocks it.
The referee calls for Tavarez to work.
Tavarez is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rodrigues is defending well for now.
Tavarez is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Tavarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rodrigues has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rodrigues lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rodrigues tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rodrigues tries to work over Tavarez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rodrigues lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tavarez with a knee to the head.
Tavarez scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rodrigues blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues misses with some punches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tavarez - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rodrigues takes a shot to the head.
Rodrigues tries to break free but Tavarez pushes him back against the cage.
Tavarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rodrigues lands a hook that snaps the head of Tavarez backwards.
Tavarez is pushing Rodrigues up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Tavarez stops a takedown attempt from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues digs a right hand into Tavarez's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Tavarez's gas tank.
Tavarez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rodrigues's face.
Rodrigues tries to pull guard but Tavarez holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodrigues drops back down to his feet.
Tavarez just leaning against Rodrigues, taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues wants a takedown.
Rodrigues misses with some punches.
Tavarez lands with a left to the head.
Tavarez misses with a knee strike.
Tavarez throws an elbow that misses.
Rodrigues fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rodrigues working hard to break the clinch.
Tavarez stalling in the clinch but Rodrigues improves position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tavarez is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Rodrigues is blocking nicely.
Rodrigues wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tavarez is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rodrigues tries to pull guard but Tavarez holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodrigues drops back down to his feet.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariobaldo Tavarez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lucio Rodrigues's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tavarez will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Rodrigues moves into the clinch successfully.
Rodrigues taking a breather.
Rodrigues misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tavarez - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Tavarez has a couple of punches blocked by Rodrigues.
Tavarez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tavarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rodrigues is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tavarez is keeping busy.
Tavarez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but Rodrigues blocks with his arms.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tavarez lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues taking a breather.
Rodrigues holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Tavarez with a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tavarez as Rodrigues tries to tie him up.
Rodrigues takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rodrigues throws a punch but it's blocked by Tavarez.
Tavarez scores a nice knee to the body.
Rodrigues is breathing heavily.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but Rodrigues blocks it.
Rodrigues is trying to break the clinch but Tavarez is controlling him.
Ariobaldo Tavarez has scored more points in the clinch so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavarez scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rodrigues stalling in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Tavarez.
Tavarez lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez is struggling to control the position.
Tavarez scores with a knee to the head.
Tavarez stalling against the cage.
Tavarez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rodrigues's face.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tavarez creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rodrigues is trying to pull guard but Tavarez turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tavarez.
A frustrated look appears on Rodrigues's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tavarez stalling against the cage.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but Rodrigues blocks with his arms.
Tavarez presses Rodrigues against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but Rodrigues blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tavarez slowing the pace effectively.
Tavarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rodrigues has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tavarez throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rodrigues doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rodrigues throws a head punch that misses.
Tavarez misses with a knee to the head.
Rodrigues looking to slow down the pace here.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rodrigues can't find room to land a body shot as Tavarez controls the action.
Tavarez has Rodrigues pushed against the cage.
Tavarez is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rodrigues is defending well for now.
Rodrigues tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tavarez smiles and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Rodrigues misses.
Rodrigues throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tavarez paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Tavarez swings for the body but Rodrigues moves out of range.
Tavarez moves in looking to clinch but Rodrigues pushes him off.

Rodrigues throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Tavarez tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rodrigues is in Tavarez's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rodrigues stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tavarez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rodrigues wants to control from the top but Tavarez keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariobaldo Tavarez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Lucio Rodrigues's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rodrigues avoids the body shot from Tavarez.
Tavarez throws a big shot that misses.

Rodrigues clinches.
Rodrigues working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rodrigues is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tavarez to keep the fight standing.
Tavarez misses with a knee to the head.
Rodrigues tries to circle away but Tavarez has him pinned against the cage.
Rodrigues takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tavarez unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Rodrigues takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rodrigues wants to stall.
Tavarez taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Rodrigues tries to throw a body punch but Tavarez avoids it by throwing Rodrigues back against the cage.
A short right from Rodrigues.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues stalling in the clinch.
Tavarez crunches a lovely knee into Rodrigues's ribcage.
Tavarez connects with a knee to the head.
Tavarez unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rodrigues lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tavarez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Rodrigues is rocked!
Tavarez connects with a knee to the head.
Rodrigues is still on wobbly legs! Can Tavarez finish him?

That has opened up Lucio Rodrigues's cut even more.
Tavarez lands a big knee to the head and Rodrigues goes down! Tavarez pounces and finishes the fight with strikes! He jumps to his feet and celebrates with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ariobaldo Tavarez!
Our winner, Ariobaldo Tavarez, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.