PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ian Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alessandro Chiara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alessandro Chiara has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ian Rhodes's chin.

Rhodes
vs
Chiara

218 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

201 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ian Rhodes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alessandro Chiara!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Luis Engracia and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Rhodes crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Chiara - the referee stops the clock and Rhodes gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Chiara. Rhodes manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Chiara tries a head kick but it misses.
Chiara turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Chiara misses with a body kick.
Chiara throws a quick inside leg kick.
Chiara displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rhodes.
Chiara connects with an inside leg kick.
Chiara misses with a body kick.
Rhodes shoots in for a takedown but Chiara shows good takedown defense.
Chiara throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rhodes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chiara sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rhodes somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Rhodes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chiara is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rhodes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Rhodes shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Chiara looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rhodes passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rhodes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Chiara is just riding it out for now. Rhodes eventually gives up the hold.
Rhodes looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Chiara with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nice strikes from Rhodes there.
The fighters are battling for position here. Chiara manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Chiara is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rhodes is aware though and is defending well.
Chiara looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rhodes stands and steps away. Chiara gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Alessandro Chiara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chiara wants to land a leg kick but Rhodes is out of range.
A head kick misses from Rhodes.
Chiara throws a head kick but Rhodes moves out of range.
Chiara looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Rhodes shoots in and bounces Chiara off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rhodes distracts Chiara with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rhodes really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rhodes makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Chiara is working an open guard so Rhodes takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Chiara doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rhodes counters with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rhodes closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Chiara quickly recovers to half guard.
Rhodes lands strikes from half guard.
Well, if Rhodes is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Rhodes working Chiara over with strikes.
Rhodes slows the pace down in half guard.
Chiara is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rhodes scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
We've been informed that Chiara has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Rhodes scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Chiara looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rhodes with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Rhodes seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rhodes slips a nice elbow through Chiara's hands, connecting with Chiara's forehead.

Rhodes is looking for a kimura here.
Rhodes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Rhodes is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Chiara sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Rhodes dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Good work by Rhodes as he checks the leg kick.
Chiara tries to land a front kick but Rhodes steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rhodes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Chiara tries to avoid it but Rhodes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Chiara to the ground. Chiara escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Chiara throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Chiara connects with a solid leg kick.
Chiara tries for a takedown but Rhodes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rhodes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Chiara sprawls well. Chiara wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rhodes gets slowly back to his feet.
Rhodes checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rhodes moves out of range of the body kick from Chiara.
Rhodes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Rhodes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rhodes shoots for a takedown but Chiara saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Chiara is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Chiara.
Chiara fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rhodes has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Rhodes moves into range and clinches up with Chiara.

Rhodes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Chiara misses with a head kick.
Chiara looks to throw a body kick
and Rhodes counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Rhodes shoots in and bounces Chiara off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rhodes stopping the sweep attempt from Chiara.
Rhodes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Chiara's head.
Rhodes landing with the ground and pound.
Rhodes content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rhodes throws a strike but Chiara rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rhodes is on top in guard.
Rhodes trying to control the position from guard on top but Chiara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ian Rhodes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chiara has momentary wrist control but Rhodes slips an elbow through the middle.
Rhodes with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Chiara has momentary wrist control but Rhodes slips an elbow through the middle.
Rhodes lands a couple of digs.
Rhodes postures up in Chiara's guard and throws a big left but Chiara blocks it.
Rhodes throws an elbow that misses. Chiara uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rhodes's guard. Nice move by Chiara!
Rhodes looking for a sweep. Not yet Rhodes, not yet.
Rhodes is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Chiara is controlling him.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Rhodes gets to his feet. Chiara looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rhodes shoots for a takedown but Chiara saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Rhodes drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rhodes engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Rhodes dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rhodes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Chiara smiles and moves away.
Rhodes doesn't manage to clinch there - Chiara circles away.
Chiara walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rhodes checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rhodes goes for a double leg but Chiara avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Chiara continues to drive forward.
Rhodes has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Chiara after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Rhodes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Chiara manages to break the clinch.
Chiara tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rhodes defends well and Chiara ends up having to push Rhodes into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rhodes breaks from the clinch.
Chiara takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rhodes throws a head kick but Chiara moves out of range.
Chiara lands with a thumping leg kick.
Alessandro Chiara seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Chiara lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rhodes's sensitive parts.
Both fighters circling a little - Chiara finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Chiara throws a nice head kick!
Chiara bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Nice sprawl there from Rhodes as Chiara shoots in.
Rhodes looks for a takedown but Chiara sprawls well.

Rhodes drives through with a takedown into Chiara's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Rhodes postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rhodes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rhodes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rhodes slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

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

Rhodes shoots in and bounces Chiara off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rhodes is working Chiara over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chiara is looking for a triangle here but Rhodes uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Rhodes is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Chiara is trying to escape and Rhodes transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Chiara is forced to tap! Nice work there by Rhodes! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ian Rhodes!