PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Diego Poirie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gordy Rhoades (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Poirie
vs
Rhoades

191 cm
25
216 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Diego Poirie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gordy Rhoades!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Poirie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rhoades's guard.
Poirie throwing strikes from guard but Rhoades blocks nicely.
Poirie wants to get up but he can't break Rhoades's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Poirie trying to control but Rhoades is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Poirie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Poirie cracks Rhoades with a solid left hand.
Poirie throws an elbow that misses. Rhoades uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Poirie's guard. Nice move by Rhoades!
Poirie is trying to keep Rhoades in close.
Rhoades has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Nordic Top Team. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Poirie doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poirie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Poirie trying to keep a closed guard but Rhoades is proving a slippery customer.
Rhoades throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Poirie works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rhoades postures up in Poirie's guard and throws a big left but Poirie blocks it.
Rhoades stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Poirie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Poirie has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Poirie has his foot on Rhoades's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rhoades works his way back into a safe position though.
Rhoades has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rhoades trying to control the position from guard on top but Poirie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Poirie trying to keep a closed guard but Rhoades is proving a slippery customer.

Poirie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Rhoades got a little sloppy there for a moment and Poirie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rhoades has managed to get both his arms back between Poirie's legs - danger averted.
Poirie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Rhoades is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Poirie is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Poirie has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poirie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rhoades utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Poirie throwing strikes from guard but Rhoades blocks nicely.
Poirie scoring with some ground and pound.
Rhoades is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poirie is looking to work some ground and pound but Rhoades has wrist control.
Poirie trying to control the position from guard on top but Rhoades is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rhoades utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Poirie drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rhoades manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Poirie has Rhoades in his guard.
Rhoades chips away with some ground and pound.
Rhoades trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Poirie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rhoades doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rhoades manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Poirie thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Poirie keeping moving, preventing Rhoades from controlling successfully.
Poirie trying to keep a closed guard but Rhoades is proving a slippery customer.
Rhoades trying to control the position from guard on top but Poirie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Poirie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Poirie keeping moving, preventing Rhoades from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rhoades preventing the sweep.
Rhoades trying to control the position from guard on top but Poirie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Poirie dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rhoades slaps away a takedown attempt from Poirie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Diego Poirie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Poirie decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Poirie is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rhoades is not content to let Poirie control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poirie misses with a head shot. Rhoades uses the momentum to regain guard.
Poirie throwing strikes but missing.
Rhoades keeping full guard, as Poirie tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rhoades preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poirie throws a strike but Rhoades rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Rhoades postures up in Poirie's guard and throws a big left but Poirie blocks it.
Poirie looking to control.
Poirie keeping moving, preventing Rhoades from controlling successfully.
Poirie keeping full guard, as Rhoades tries to pass.

Poirie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Poirie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rhoades defends well.
Poirie keeping moving, preventing Rhoades from controlling successfully.
Diego Poirie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhoades tries to free his leg and advance position but Poirie is retaining full guard.

Poirie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rhoades defends well.
Poirie keeping moving, preventing Rhoades from controlling successfully.

Rhoades drops back looking for a leg! Poirie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Poirie manages to kick Rhoades off! Rhoades jumps back into Poirie's guard.

Rhoades 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.

Rhoades drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Poirie dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhoades is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Poirie is controlling him.
Poirie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Poirie throwing strikes but missing.
Poirie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Poirie is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rhoades is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rhoades has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Poirie dominated that second round.
That's time! Poirie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Poirie has his takedown stuffed
and Rhoades counters with a big head kick but Poirie shrugs it off.

Poirie closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rhoades to the mat! Rhoades manages to get full guard.
Poirie prevents Rhoades from getting back to his feet.

Poirie drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rhoades manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Poirie has Rhoades in his guard.

Poirie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rhoades is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhoades trying to control but Poirie is working from the bottom.
Rhoades stands and throws Poirie's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rhoades throws a strike aimed at the side of Poirie's head but Poirie avoids it well.
You can see the frustration on Poirie's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Rhoades working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Rhoades looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Poirie tries to bench press Rhoades off him but Rhoades keeps the position.
Poirie gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rhoades is looking for a kimura but Poirie is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rhoades to get the leverage.
Rhoades wants to pass the guard but Poirie is defending well.
Poirie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rhoades is working away from the top position though.
Rhoades prevents Poirie from improving his position.
Poirie wants to control but Rhoades is keeping busy.
Poirie is trying to get back to full guard.
Rhoades trying to control the pace.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhoades is looking to take a break and control but Poirie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Poirie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rhoades pulls his head out easily.
Rhoades trying to control the action but Poirie is working from the bottom.
Poirie trying to control here.

Rhoades is looking for a kimura but Poirie is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rhoades to get the leverage.
Poirie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rhoades is working away from the top position though.

Poirie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rhoades wants to lay and pray for a moment but Poirie keeps working.
The fighters are battling for position here. Poirie manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhoades wants to control from the top but Poirie keeps moving.
Rhoades throws a big right hand that misses.

Poirie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rhoades defends it easily.
Rhoades throwing strikes from guard but Poirie blocks nicely.
Diego Poirie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Poirie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rhoades is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Poirie is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Poirie has escaped and now he's on top!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Poirie with a flurry of punches that miss.

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 Diego Poirie.
Well Poirie has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Poirie!
A very excited looking Diego Poirie made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.