PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andre Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Gotwalt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rodriguez
vs
Gotwalt

180 cm
25
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition
Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andre Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jeff Gotwalt!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gotwalt doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rodriguez counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice body punch from Rodriguez.

Rodriguez gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Gotwalt thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Rodriguez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gotwalt is aware though and is defending well.
Gotwalt slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rodriguez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gotwalt defends well.

Gotwalt thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gotwalt engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Rodriguez trying to keep a closed guard but Gotwalt is proving a slippery customer.
Gotwalt slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Rodriguez is trying to keep Gotwalt in close.
Gotwalt trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gotwalt landing with the ground and pound.

Gotwalt got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rodriguez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gotwalt has managed to get both his arms back between Rodriguez's legs - danger averted.
Gotwalt slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Gotwalt postures up in Rodriguez's guard and throws a big left but Rodriguez blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rodriguez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Rodriguez looking for a guillotine here but Gotwalt defends easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Gotwalt from controlling successfully.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gotwalt postures up and lands a big shot to Rodriguez's brow.
Gotwalt is stalling in the full guard.

Rodriguez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gotwalt doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gotwalt manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gotwalt lands a couple of digs.
Gotwalt lands a couple of elbows.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Gotwalt from controlling successfully.
Gotwalt lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gotwalt slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Rodriguez has his foot on Gotwalt's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gotwalt works his way back into a safe position though.
Gotwalt 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Gotwalt from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gotwalt misses with a takedown attempt
and Rodriguez counters with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Gotwalt drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gotwalt advances position into side control!
Gotwalt looks winded!
Gotwalt lands a few punches from side control.
Rodriguez wants to control but Gotwalt postures up.
Gotwalt just content to control the position.
Rodriguez is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Gotwalt is looking to take a break and control but Rodriguez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gotwalt prevents Rodriguez from escaping the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Rodriguez sneaks out the side door and pushes Gotwalt away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Gotwalt takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Gotwalt shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rodriguez napping and manages to drive through into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Gotwalt dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gotwalt tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Rodriguez counters with a left and a right that stings Gotwalt.
Donk. Rodriguez catches Gotwalt right on the button with a cross.
A left and a right from Rodriguez both land. Nice combination.

Gotwalt darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gotwalt is keen to just control but Rodriguez is a slippery customer.
Gotwalt scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Gotwalt wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rodriguez keeps working.
Gotwalt slows the pace down in half guard.

Gotwalt is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rodriguez is just riding it out for now. Gotwalt eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gotwalt is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rodriguez has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rodriguez wants to control but Gotwalt is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez is looking to improve his position.
Rodriguez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gotwalt has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Gotwalt wants to work for an arm triangle but Rodriguez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Gotwalt is working for a kimura but Rodriguez is defending it quite comfortably.
Gotwalt looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rodriguez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to get back to full guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gotwalt lands a nice short elbow.
Gotwalt takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Gotwalt is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rodriguez has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gotwalt is breathing heavily.
Rodriguez is refusing to be controlled, as Gotwalt sits in half guard.
Rodriguez wants to improve his position but Gotwalt is controlling well.
Rodriguez trying to hold on to Gotwalt's head to control him but Gotwalt postures up.
Gotwalt is keen to just control but Rodriguez is a slippery customer.
Jeff Gotwalt has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gotwalt missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Gotwalt is working for a kimura but Rodriguez is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez tries to get to full guard but Gotwalt has control of the leg.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gotwalt lands a nice short elbow.
Gotwalt not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Gotwalt is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rodriguez defends it well.
Rodriguez is looking to improve his position.
Rodriguez is trying to stand up here but Gotwalt is controlling him well.

Rodriguez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gotwalt pulls his head out easily.
Rodriguez is trying to get back to full guard.

Gotwalt is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to improve his position but Gotwalt is controlling well.
Gotwalt has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gotwalt drops an elbow to the side of Rodriguez's head.
Gotwalt sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Gotwalt is continuing to stall.
Gotwalt is trying to control the action in half guard but Rodriguez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rodriguez regains full guard. Nicely done.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rodriguez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gotwalt defends it easily.
Gotwalt controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Gotwalt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gotwalt has a takedown stuffed.
Rodriguez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Gotwalt gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rodriguez counters with a right hand to the body.
Gotwalt tries for a takedown but Rodriguez circles away easily
and Rodriguez counters with a three punch combo that has Gotwalt backing up. Gotwalt nods at Rodriguez to acknowledge the strikes.
Andre Rodriguez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Gotwalt.

Gotwalt feints and as Rodriguez raises his hands in defense, Gotwalt changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

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

Rodriguez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gotwalt defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gotwalt is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gotwalt postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gotwalt controlling from the top position.
Rodriguez trying to control the position.
Gotwalt stays in close to Rodriguez's body and controls the position.
Gotwalt throwing strikes but missing.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gotwalt trying to control but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gotwalt with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rodriguez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gotwalt thinking.
Gotwalt has his takedown stuffed
and Rodriguez counters with a series of strikes. Gotwalt will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez looks to land a combination. Gotwalt sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Gotwalt closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Gotwalt is trying to control the action in half guard but Rodriguez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rodriguez is pressing down on Gotwalt's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Rodriguez looking for a guillotine here but Gotwalt defends easily.
Gotwalt stays in close to Rodriguez's body and controls the position.
Gotwalt looking to pass the guard.
Gotwalt trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodriguez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodriguez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gotwalt on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gotwalt keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rodriguez's head.

Rodriguez looking for a guillotine here but Gotwalt defends easily.
Gotwalt content to stall in guard here.
Gotwalt sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rodriguez's guard.
Gotwalt winds up and cracks Rodriguez with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Gotwalt with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Gotwalt is trying to control. Rodriguez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Gotwalt wants to work for an arm triangle but Rodriguez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rodriguez is trying to stand back up but Gotwalt is controlling him
Andre Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rodriguez tries to roll over but Gotwalt keeps him under control.
Gotwalt keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Let's hope that Gotwalt has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Gotwalt in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Rodriguez tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Gotwalt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jeff Gotwalt!