PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nsia Ihejirika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manuel Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manuel Rodriguez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ihejirika
vs
Rodriguez

178 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
27
146 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nsia Ihejirika!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Manuel Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ihejirika misses with a wild combination.
Ihejirika tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rodriguez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rodriguez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rodriguez wants it to stay on the feet.
A head kick misses from Rodriguez.
Ihejirika is looking to clinch but Rodriguez is avoiding it.
Rodriguez leaves Ihejirika with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Rodriguez clinches up with Ihejirika and pushes him back against the cage.
Ihejirika takes an elbow to the temple.
Ihejirika is pushing Rodriguez up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Rodriguez landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rodriguez lands with a left to the head.
Ihejirika tries a knee to the head but Rodriguez blocks it.

Ihejirika escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick and Ihejirika moves out of range easily.
Ihejirika tries to clinch but Rodriguez is having none of it.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Ihejirika.
Ihejirika shoots in for a takedown but Rodriguez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nsia Ihejirika. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez looks to land a body kick but Ihejirika moved away.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown. Ihejirika tries to sprawl out of it but Rodriguez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ihejirika manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A head kick misses from Ihejirika.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Ihejirika.
Ihejirika shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rodriguez as he avoids it easily.
Ihejirika is breathing heavily.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown. Ihejirika tries to sprawl out of it but Rodriguez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ihejirika manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ihejirika fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Ihejirika shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ihejirika stuffs the takedown attempt from Rodriguez. Rodriguez gets slowly back to his feet.

Rodriguez looking to score a takedown here. Ihejirika is defending well but Rodriguez drives through and ends up in Ihejirika's guard.
Rodriguez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a big elbow that misses.
Rodriguez is looking to work some ground and pound but Ihejirika has wrist control.

Rodriguez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ihejirika, up you get!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ihejirika wants to clinch
and Rodriguez counters with a thumping low kick.
Rodriguez throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rodriguez throws a series of punches but Ihejirika moves out of range.

Rodriguez forces Ihejirika back against the cage and clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rodriguez.
Ihejirika managing to block the knees to the body from Rodriguez.
Ihejirika working Rodriguez over with knees to the body.

Ihejirika pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ihejirika moves in looking to clinch but Rodriguez pushes him off.
Ihejirika doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodriguez circles away.
Ihejirika tries for a takedown but Rodriguez circles away easily

and Rodriguez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez wants to stand but Ihejirika is controlling his posture from full guard.
Rodriguez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ihejirika working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodriguez.
Ihejirika controls Rodriguez momentarily but Rodriguez frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Ihejirika fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodriguez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ihejirika pinned against the cage. Ihejirika gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ihejirika changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rodriguez tries to avoid it but Ihejirika manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rodriguez to the ground. Rodriguez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rodriguez pushes Ihejirika up against the cage in a clinch.
The referee calls for Ihejirika to work.

Rodriguez wants the takedown. Ihejirika is fighting it off but Rodriguez persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ihejirika's guard against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manuel Rodriguez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rodriguez shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ihejirika is trying to defend but Rodriguez finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ihejirika regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is looking to stand up but Ihejirika won't let him.
Ihejirika keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.
Ihejirika looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rodriguez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ihejirika works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ihejirika is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rodriguez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ihejirika swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ihejirika is looking to clinch but Rodriguez is avoiding it.

Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rodriguez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rodriguez moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ihejirika is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a strike aimed at the side of Ihejirika's head but Ihejirika avoids it well.
Rodriguez in side control, throwing shots but Ihejirika defends.
Ihejirika seems a little lost for a moment, as Rodriguez dominates the positioning.
Rodriguez is looking to take a break and control but Ihejirika is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ihejirika is trying to control Rodriguez's posture but Rodriguez avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throwing strikes but Ihejirika manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Ihejirika landing strikes.

Ihejirika is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rodriguez has escaped the position, nice work there.
The strikes coming from Ihejirika are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Ihejirika wants to control but Rodriguez is keeping him busy.
Ihejirika has control of an arm but Rodriguez manages to advance to Ihejirika's back!
Rodriguez scores with punches to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez lands shots from the back.
Ihejirika wants to escape the position.
Ihejirika controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Rodriguez lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Ihejirika.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodriguez misses with punches from the back.
I would not like to be Ihejirika right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manuel Rodriguez 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!

Ihejirika swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Rodriguez fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ihejirika sprawls well initially but Rodriguez persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez stalling away here and it's allowed Ihejirika to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Ihejirika keeping full guard, as Rodriguez tries to pass.
Rodriguez is looking to stand up but Ihejirika won't let him.
Rodriguez postures up.
Ihejirika pulls Rodriguez in to control the position.
Ihejirika keeping full guard, as Rodriguez tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rodriguez throws a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

We're going to have a standup here because Nsia Ihejirika wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Rodriguez misses with a body kick.

Rodriguez gets a takedown into half guard.

Rodriguez stands up and beckons Ihejirika to join him on the feet.
Ihejirika moves in looking to clinch but Rodriguez pushes him off.
Rodriguez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ihejirika is fending him off so far but Rodriguez persists. Nope, Ihejirika circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ihejirika closes the distance and pushes Rodriguez back into the cage.

Ihejirika is fighting off a takedown attempt but Rodriguez is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Ihejirika to the mat. Ihejirika regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Ihejirika trying to keep a closed guard but Rodriguez is proving a slippery customer.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodriguez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Manuel Rodriguez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rodriguez throws a big elbow that misses.
Ihejirika working a defensive guard but Rodriguez passes into half guard.
Rodriguez is thwarting Ihejirika's attempts to control the position.
Ihejirika gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown but Ihejirika manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rodriguez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ihejirika tries to clinch but Rodriguez is having none of it.

Rodriguez looking to score a takedown here. Ihejirika is defending well but Rodriguez drives through and ends up in Ihejirika's guard.
Rodriguez won't allow Ihejirika to sweep him here.
Rodriguez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rodriguez cracks Ihejirika with a solid left hand.
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Ihejirika keeps moving.
Manuel Rodriguez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Manuel Rodriguez hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Rodriguez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rodriguez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
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!
Ihejirika misses with an elbow strike.
Nsia Ihejirika has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ihejirika misses with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manuel Rodriguez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rodriguez 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manuel Rodriguez!
Manuel Rodriguez was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.