PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jose Rodrigo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Askarian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tim Askarian will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Rodrigo
vs
Askarian

180 cm
27
222 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

193 cm
25
209 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jose Rodrigo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tim Askarian!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Paul Gruel and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigo moves out of range of the body kick.
Askarian misses with a straight right.
Askarian fails in his attempt to clinch.
Askarian is looking to slow Rodrigo down with leg kicks.
Askarian digs a good hook to Rodrigo's body.
Askarian fails in his attempt to clinch.
Decent striking displayed by Askarian there.
Askarian throws a leg kick but Rodrigo moved away.
Rodrigo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Askarian leaves Rodrigo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Askarian as he jumps to the side.
Askarian tries a low kick but Rodrigo avoids it.
Askarian misses the shot to the body.
Askarian misses with a low kick as Rodrigo jumps back.
An inside leg kick lands from Askarian.
Askarian lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rodrigo's sensitive parts.
Rodrigo takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askarian leaves Rodrigo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Rodrigo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodrigo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Askarian.

Rodrigo tries to keep at a distance but Askarian has taken the fight into the clinch.
Askarian creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rodrigo's defenses.
Rodrigo blocks the elbow strike.
Askarian cracks Rodrigo with a nice body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodrigo tries to score a body lock takedown but Askarian shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Askarian trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo dodges an elbow strike from Askarian.
Rodrigo avoiding damage as Askarian throws knees to the body.
Rodrigo avoiding damage as Askarian throws knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Askarian just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rodrigo's brow.
Askarian is struggling to control the position.
Askarian misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rodrigo.
Askarian lands a body shot in the clinch.
Rodrigo has Askarian pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Askarian manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Askarian lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Jose Rodrigo has been cut.
Askarian lands a nice knee to the body.
Askarian content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo takes an elbow to the forehead.
Knees to the body from Askarian.
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!
Askarian tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodrigo avoids it.
Askarian is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Askarian obliges.
Askarian creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rodrigo's defenses.
Askarian scores with a hook to the body.
Rodrigo is breathing heavily.
Rodrigo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Askarian working Rodrigo over with knees to the body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Askarian.
Askarian landing knees to the body.
Rodrigo avoiding damage as Askarian throws knees to the body.
Askarian lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Askarian lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Askarian trying to land knees to the body.
Askarian putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rodrigo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Askarian unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Askarian lands a hook that snaps the head of Rodrigo backwards.
Askarian lands a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knees in the clinch landing for Askarian.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo takes an elbow to the forehead.
Askarian lands a left hand.
Askarian gets through Rodrigo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Askarian's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rodrigo managing to block the knees to the body from Askarian.
Rodrigo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Askarian is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rodrigo is defending well for now.
Askarian misses with an elbow over the top.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo managing to block the knees to the body from Askarian.
Askarian tries to land a knee to the head but Rodrigo blocks with his arms.
Askarian landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Askarian gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rodrigo.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Askarian softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Askarian looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Askarian slowing the pace effectively.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Askarian lands an elbow that stopped Rodrigo in his tracks for a moment.
Askarian trying to control the position but instead, Rodrigo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Askarian into the ropes.
Askarian scores a nice knee to the body.
Askarian tries to throw a body punch but Rodrigo avoids it by throwing Askarian back against the ropes.
Askarian misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rodrigo.
Askarian stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Askarian tries to land knees in the clinch but Rodrigo avoids the damage to the body.
Askarian just leaning against Rodrigo, taking a breather.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Askarian.
Askarian trying to stall but Rodrigo improves his position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tim Askarian.
Askarian is looking to clinch.

Askarian moves into range and clinches up with Rodrigo.
Askarian struggles to land a body shot inside as Rodrigo controls his hands.

Rodrigo has hold of one of Askarian's legs. Askarian is fighting the takedown attempt but Rodrigo gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Rodrigo trying to control but Askarian is working from the bottom.
Rodrigo throws a strike but Askarian rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Askarian wants to stand but Rodrigo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Askarian dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jose Rodrigo's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Askarian enables Rodrigo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Askarian manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Askarian looking to control.
Rodrigo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Rodrigo stopping the sweep attempt from Askarian.
Askarian wants to get back to his feet but Rodrigo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rodrigo landing some decent shots from guard.
Rodrigo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Askarian is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo wants to control from the top but Askarian keeps moving.
Rodrigo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Askarian wants to sweep here but Rodrigo controlling him for the moment.
Rodrigo throws a big elbow that misses.
Rodrigo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Askarian pushes Rodrigo off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
A leg kick checked by Rodrigo.
Askarian has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askarian ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Askarian lands with a thumping leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Askarian.
Askarian misses the shot to the body.
Askarian throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rodrigo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Askarian walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rodrigo checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Askarian throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Askarian lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Askarian.
Askarian scores with a nice body kick.
Askarian throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rodrigo on the side of the head.
Rodrigo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rodrigo checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Askarian looks to land a body kick but Rodrigo moved away.
Rodrigo has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Askarian closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Askarian lands a nice elbow.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Askarian obliges.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Askarian pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
A short body shot lands from Askarian as the two fighters clinch.
Askarian tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodrigo avoids it.
Askarian lands a nice knee to the body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo takes an elbow to the temple.
Rodrigo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Askarian wants to stall.
Askarian tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodrigo avoids it.
Askarian pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Askarian is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rodrigo is defending well for now.
Rodrigo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo avoiding damage as Askarian throws knees to the body.
Rodrigo is working for takedown but Askarian is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Rodrigo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Askarian comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Askarian lands a knee to the body.
Rodrigo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Askarian lands a right hand.
Askarian creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rodrigo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Rodrigo managing to block the knees to the body from Askarian.
Askarian tries to land knees in the clinch but Rodrigo avoids the damage to the body.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Askarian tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodrigo avoids it.
Askarian comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rodrigo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rodrigo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Askarian prevents it.
Rodrigo tries to pull guard but Askarian won't allow it.
Askarian stops a takedown attempt from Rodrigo.
Askarian pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Askarian with a knee to the head.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo is trying to drag Askarian to the mat but Askarian just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Askarian misses with an elbow over the top.
Askarian gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Askarian using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Askarian pushes off an throws an elbow but Rodrigo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Knees in the clinch landing for Askarian.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice elbow from Askarian.

Jose Rodrigo's cut is getting worse.
Askarian landing knees to the body.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Askarian putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rodrigo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Askarian missing with knees to the body.
Rodrigo wants to get back to striking at distance but Askarian won't allow it.
A left hand lands to the body for Askarian.
Rodrigo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Askarian working Rodrigo over with knees to the body.
Rodrigo takes a knee to the side of the body.
A body shot lands from Askarian.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Askarian lands an elbow just above Rodrigo 's eye.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodrigo takes an elbow to the temple.
Jose Rodrigo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tim Askarian is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodrigo takes an elbow to the temple.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tim Askarian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Askarian has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight for Tim Askarian!
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight for Tim Askarian!
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for Tim Askarian!

Tim Askarian wins by unanimous decision!
Tim Askarian decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.