PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Borgen Stein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Rodrigo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stein comes to the cage accompanied by 'Don't Believe the Hype', by Public Enemy.. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stein
vs
Rodrigo

188 cm
25
216 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
211 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Borgen Stein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jose Rodrigo!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Stein. Those never looked like landing.
Jose Rodrigo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stein lands with a right hand.
Stein fails to land with a series of punches.
Stein throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rodrigo.
Stein tries to bum rush Rodrigo with a series of wild strikes but Rodrigo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stein lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Stein looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stein misses with a few strikes there.
Stein throws a leg kick that misses.
Rodrigo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stein's waist but Stein gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rodrigo off to one side.
Rodrigo dodges the punch combination from Stein.
Rodrigo is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stein avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rodrigo dodges the punch combination from Stein.
Rodrigo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stein as he jumps to the side.
Stein scores with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stein fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stein throws a series of punches but Rodrigo avoids them all with ease.
Rodrigo closes the distance and clinches up with Stein, looking for a takedown. Rodrigo pushes Stein against the cage but Stein circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Borgen Stein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Rodrigo.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Stein utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stein wants to stand and escape but Rodrigo is having none of it.
Rodrigo is working Stein over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rodrigo throwing strikes from guard but Stein blocks nicely.
Rodrigo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stein works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rodrigo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rodrigo scoring with punches to the head and body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodrigo chips away with some ground and pound.
Stein knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rodrigo on the ground.
Rodrigo prevents Stein from getting back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodrigo lands a couple of elbows.
Rodrigo chips away with some ground and pound.
Rodrigo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Rodrigo dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rodrigo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rodrigo shoots in for a takedown but Stein shows good takedown defense.
No luck for Rodrigo with that takedown attempt.
Borgen Stein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Rodrigo.

Stein gets caught napping as Rodrigo dives in and scores a takedown. Stein manages to retain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo throws a big elbow that misses.
Stein wants to stand and escape but Rodrigo is having none of it.
Rodrigo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rodrigo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rodrigo landing some decent shots from guard.
Rodrigo works over Stein with some ground and pound from guard.
Stein looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodrigo is one step ahead there.
Rodrigo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stein trying to control the position.
Stein utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stein looking for a sweep. Not yet Stein, not yet.
Stein is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodrigo won't allow Stein to sweep him here.
Rodrigo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stein's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodrigo prevents Stein from standing back up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodrigo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rodrigo slips a nice elbow through Stein's hands, connecting with Stein's forehead.
Nice strikes from Rodrigo there.
Rodrigo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rodrigo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stein does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Rodrigo decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Borgen Stein is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodrigo doesn't manage to clinch there - Stein circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stein steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rodrigo.
Sloppy strikes from Stein. Those never looked like landing.
Stein throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stein circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Stein looks to land a combination but Rodrigo avoids it well.

Rodrigo gets a clinch.
Rodrigo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rodrigo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Stein is defending well.
Rodrigo misses with a body punch.
Rodrigo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodrigo is working for takedown but Stein is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rodrigo goes for a takedown attempt but Stein pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Rodrigo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodrigo avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stein swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stein lunges at Rodrigo with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rodrigo's hand.
Stein leaves Rodrigo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rodrigo misses with a straight left.
Stein misses with the combination.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Rodrigo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stein, pushing him back against the cage.
Rodrigo is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Rodrigo tries to score a body lock takedown but Stein shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stein tries to work over Rodrigo's front leg with a kick but Rodrigo checks it.
Rodrigo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stein sprawls well. Stein wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodrigo gets slowly back to his feet.
Borgen Stein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Rodrigo.
Stein misses with a combination

and Rodrigo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Borgen Stein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodrigo tries for a takedown but Stein manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stein tries to break free but Rodrigo pushes him back against the cage.

Stein decides to pull guard.
Rodrigo chips away with some ground and pound.
Rodrigo looking to pass the guard.

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

Rodrigo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Stein's half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stein wants to improve his position but Rodrigo is controlling well.
Stein wants to control but Rodrigo is keeping busy and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Rodrigo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rodrigo 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight for Jose Rodrigo!
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for Jose Rodrigo!
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight for Jose Rodrigo!

Jose Rodrigo wins by unanimous decision!