PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Hill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruben Rodrigues (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hill comes into the arena with Its Raining Men blaring out of the sound system. Rodrigues has chosen 2pac as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Kenny Hill looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Hill
vs
Rodrigues

167 cm
29
142 lbs
7 - 13 - 0

176 cm
25
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kenny Hill!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ruben Rodrigues!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigues lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hill's sensitive parts.

Hill fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rodrigues, pushing him back against the cage.
Rodrigues wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hill changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rodrigues fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hill definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Rodrigues misses with a head kick.
Rodrigues pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rodrigues misses with a head kick.
Ruben Rodrigues seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodrigues looks to land a combination. Hill sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rodrigues throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hill fails in his attempt to clinch.

Hill moves into range and clinches up with Rodrigues.

Hill pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rodrigues lands with a slapping head kick.
Rodrigues closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hill blocks a head kick by Rodrigues.
Rodrigues throws a head kick but Hill moves out of range.
Rodrigues throws a leg kick
and Hill counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rodrigues lands a leg kick that knocks Hill off balance momentarily.
Nice body punch from Hill.
Rodrigues looks winded!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues throws a leg kick that is checked

and Hill moves into the clinch.
Rodrigues has had enough of the clinch but Hill keeps him there for the moment.
Rodrigues stops a takedown attempt from Hill.

Hill breaks the clinch.
Hill moves out of range of the leg kick from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rodrigues avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rodrigues stalks Hill and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hill's face. Hill staggers backwards, shaken.
Rodrigues misses with a double jab.

Hill closes the distance and pushes Rodrigues back into the cage.
Hill blocks an elbow strike from Rodrigues.
Hill has Rodrigues pressed against the cage, preventing Rodrigues from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Hill's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rodrigues.
Hill misses with a takedown attempt - Rodrigues sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenny Hill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodrigues scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hill dodges the punch combination from Rodrigues.

Hill gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rodrigues throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hill blocks it with crossed arms.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hill is trying to trip Rodrigues. He has hold of a leg but Rodrigues is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Hill persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Hill trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rodrigues's guard.
Rodrigues being controlled here, momentarily.
Hill is looking to stand up but Rodrigues won't let him.
Rodrigues is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hill seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kenny Hill has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Rodrigues misses with a head kick.

Hill closes the distance and clinches.
Hill blocks an elbow strike from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues has had enough of the clinch but Hill keeps him there for the moment.
Hill has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rodrigues is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Hill jumps guard and drags Rodrigues to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Hill is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rodrigues defends well.
Hill has a closed guard, preventing Rodrigues from standing up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hill managing to control the position.

Hill is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rodrigues is aware though and is defending well.

Hill is looking for a triangle but Rodrigues pushes his legs off easily.

Hill looking for a guillotine here but Rodrigues defends easily.
Hill wants to stand but Rodrigues is controlling the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kenny Hill will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rodrigues looks to land a combination but Hill avoids it well.
Rodrigues throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rodrigues is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Rodrigues lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hill circles away quickly and effectively.
Rodrigues closes the distance and lands a one-two.
No joy there for Rodrigues, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hill blocks a head kick by Rodrigues.
Hill blocks a head kick by Rodrigues.
Rodrigues shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Hill eats them both and turns towards Rodrigues to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Hill blocks a head kick by Rodrigues.

Hill takes the fight into the clinch.
Hill is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rodrigues is defending well.
Rodrigues misses with an elbow strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hill avoiding damage as Rodrigues throws knees to the body.
Rodrigues is trying to break free.
Rodrigues working hard to break the clinch.
Rodrigues pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hill drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rodrigues gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hill has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rodrigues is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenny Hill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hill has Rodrigues pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rodrigues manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hill wants to take the fight to the mat but Rodrigues manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Rodrigues wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rodrigues tries to break free but Hill pushes him back against the cage.

Hill pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rodrigues throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Hill has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hill tries for a takedown but Rodrigues manages to get underhooks.
Rodrigues is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nice elbow from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues tries to circle away but Hill has him pinned against the cage.
Rodrigues tries to break the clinch but Hill is controlling the position.
Rodrigues is trying to force a seperation but Hill has the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hill turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Hill manages to end up in side control.
Rodrigues wants to get back to his feet but Hill drags him back down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hill lands a nice forearm strike.
Hill working the body and head with strikes.
Hill prevents Rodrigues from escaping the position.

Hill decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Rodrigues tries to keep at a distance but Hill has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hill tries to score a body lock takedown but Rodrigues shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Rodrigues breaks from the clinch.
Ruben Rodrigues is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hill has closed the distance and engaged Rodrigues in a clinch.

Rodrigues breaks the clinch.
Hill fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ruben Rodrigues is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues connects with a high kick.
Rodrigues fails to land with a series of punches.

Rodrigues gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hill lands a couple of elbows.

Hill gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hill avoids the head kick by Rodrigues.
Hill shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rodrigues throws a series of strikes that have Hill backpedaling.
Hill blocks a head kick by Rodrigues.
Rodrigues walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hill checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rodrigues takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rodrigues lands with a thumping leg kick.

Hill decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodrigues is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hill is nestled in close to Rodrigues, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hill winds up and cracks Rodrigues with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rodrigues is trying to stand.
Hill drops an elbow to the side of Rodrigues's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ground and pound from Hill.
Hill working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rodrigues has hold of Hill's hands but Hill slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hill lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rodrigues on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hill is taking a breather. Rodrigues says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Rodrigues is trying to stand back up but Hill is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Hill dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Hill pushes Rodrigues up against the cage in a clinch.
Hill tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hill is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rodrigues gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rodrigues looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hill goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rodrigues prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenny Hill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodrigues wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hill has him pressed against the cage.
Hill blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hill has Rodrigues pressed against the cage, preventing Rodrigues from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rodrigues is trying to break the clinch but Hill is controlling him.
Rodrigues lands a knee to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rodrigues throws an elbow but misses.
Hill avoiding damage as Rodrigues throws knees to the body.
Hill tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rodrigues is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rodrigues tries to break the clinch but Hill is controlling the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodrigues can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hill blocks it with crossed arms.
Rodrigues tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hill avoids it.
A frustrated look appears on Rodrigues's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Hill drags the fight down to the ground.
Rodrigues wants to stand and escape but instead Hill has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Hill postures up and lands a big shot to Rodrigues's brow.
Rodrigues really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hill. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hill landing with the ground and pound.
Rodrigues wants to stand but Hill is controlling the position.
Rodrigues has momentary wrist control but Hill slips an elbow through the middle.
Hill is in close to Rodrigues's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hill gets to his feet. Rodrigues looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Rodrigues tries to keep at a distance but Hill has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hill changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rodrigues fights it off and pushes away nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Some wild striking there from Rodrigues.

Hill has closed the distance and engaged Rodrigues in a clinch.
Hill is working for takedown but Rodrigues is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rodrigues scores with a knee to the head.
Rodrigues looking to throw knees to the head but Hill is blocking nicely.
Rodrigues wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hill wants a takedown.
Rodrigues tries to break free but Hill pushes him back against the cage.
Rodrigues is trying to break the clinch but Hill has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hill is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rodrigues has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rodrigues has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rodrigues tries to circle away but Hill has him pinned against the cage.

Hill jumps guard and drags Rodrigues to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Rodrigues wanted to stand there but Hill had control of the position.

Hill is looking for a triangle but Rodrigues pushes his legs off easily.
Rodrigues trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hill's guard.
Rodrigues must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hill is controlling Rodrigues's posture.
Rodrigues wants to stand but Hill is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hill is pulling down on Rodrigues's head. It's preventing any offense from Rodrigues, at least for the moment.

Hill is looking for a triangle but Rodrigues pushes his legs off easily.
Kenny Hill is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodrigues wants to stand but Hill has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Rodrigues wants to stand and escape but instead Hill has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Hill distracts Rodrigues with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ruben Rodrigues has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish 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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hill distracts Rodrigues with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hill seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenny Hill showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hill, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenny Hill!
An out of breath and clearly excited Kenny Hill thanked ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30 (5% Laundry SALE) for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).