PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between James Normandy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jos Rodri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Normandy
vs
Rodri

157 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
20
130 lbs
2 - 8 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Normandy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jos Rodri!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Alan Glass and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Normandy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rodri circles away quickly and effectively.
Normandy lands with a slapping head kick.
Some wild striking there from Normandy.
Rodri lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Normandy at a distance.
Normandy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rodri goes for a double leg but Normandy avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Normandy continues to drive forward.
Rodri looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Normandy dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rodri. That did some damage!
Normandy misses with a kick to the body.
Jos Rodri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Normandy connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rodri. Rodri circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rodri takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Normandy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Normandy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Normandy wants it to stay on the feet.
James Normandy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jos Rodri.
Normandy scoring well with a low kick there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Normandy. Rodri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Normandy misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rodri looks for a takedown but Normandy sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodri shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Normandy sprawls well. Normandy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodri gets slowly back to his feet.
Rodri fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rodri shoots for a double leg takedown but Normandy sprawls well. He's pushed Rodri's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Normandy gets a double leg takedown into Rodri's guard.
Rodri is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Normandy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Normandy wants to pass the guard but Rodri is keeping the position.
Normandy lands a couple of elbows.
Normandy throws a big right hand that misses.
Normandy could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Normandy won't allow Rodri to sweep him here.
Normandy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Normandy throws a big right hand that misses.
Normandy throws a big elbow that misses.
Rodri keeping moving, preventing Normandy from controlling successfully.
Rodri bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Normandy's guard.

Rodri sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rodri stands and throws Normandy's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rodri working away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodri wants to control but Normandy is keeping him busy.
Normandy tries to buck Rodri off but Rodri is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodri stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Normandy chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Normandy slaps away a takedown attempt from Rodri, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Normandy misses with a wild body shot.
Rodri shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Normandy as he avoids it easily.
Normandy thows a body kick. Rodri tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Rodri shoots in for a takedown but Normandy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Rodri forces Normandy back against the cage and clinches.
Rodri tries to pull guard but Normandy holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodri drops back down to his feet.
Rodri drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rodri looks winded!
Normandy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rodri's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Normandy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Normandy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rodri manages to avoid it.
Normandy misses with the combination.
Rodri shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Normandy but Normandy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice uppercut lands for Normandy. That snapped Rodri's head back.
Rodri shoots for a double leg takedown but Normandy sprawls well. He's pushed Rodri's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Normandy throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodri shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Normandy defends it nicely.
Rodri takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Normandy dominated that round.
That's time! Normandy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rodri fails with a takedown attempt.
Normandy appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Normandy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rodri can do to turn this around?
Normandy throws a shot to the body.
Normandy throws an overhand right that lands on Rodri's shoulder, as Rodri tries to avoid the shot.
Normandy scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Normandy fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rodri to the ground. Normandy is now in Rodri's guard.

Rodri kicks Normandy off and gets to his feet.
Normandy feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rodri's calf.
Normandy is looking to wear down Rodri with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Rodri fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodri wants to clinch but Normandy slips to the side
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rodri tries for a takedown but Normandy circles away easily
and Normandy counters with a straight right hand.
James Normandy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jos Rodri.
Normandy lands the left hand.

Normandy drives through with a takedown into guard.
Normandy chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Normandy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Normandy passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Normandy wants to take a breather but Rodri is having none of it.
Normandy stops Rodri from getting back to his feet.
Normandy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rodri regains full guard. Nicely done.
Normandy trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodri trying to control the position.
Rodri trying to control the position here.
Normandy has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rodri is trying to keep Normandy in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rodri has his hands on Normandy's head, controlling the position.
Rodri is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Normandy is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rodri shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Normandy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Normandy wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Normandy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Normandy sets himself, and Rodri steps forward looking for the clinch! Normandy avoids it this time.
Normandy shoots in for a takedown but Rodri shows good takedown defense.
Rodri shoots in for a takedown but Normandy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Normandy drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Normandy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodri trying to keep a closed guard but Normandy is proving a slippery customer.
Normandy preventing the sweep.
Normandy postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Normandy working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rodri's head.
Normandy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rodri is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Normandy throws a strike but Rodri rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Normandy trying to keep a closed guard but Rodri is proving a slippery customer.
Rodri advances to half guard.
Normandy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rodri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Normandy is controlling Rodri's trapped leg to prevent Rodri from advancing to side control.
Normandy is looking to control Rodri's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Normandy avoid being mounted?
Rodri tries to stand but can't do so whilst Normandy controls his leg.
Rodri sitting and controlling from the half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Normandy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rodri manages to avoid it.

Rodri moves into range and clinches up with Normandy.
Normandy throws a punch but it's blocked by Rodri.
Rodri tries for a takedown. No joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Normandy dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Normandy lands with an overhand left.
Rodri tries to bum rush Normandy with a series of wild strikes but Normandy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Normandy fails with a takedown attempt.
Normandy fails to land with a series of punches.
Rodri fails with a takedown attempt.
Normandy wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Rodri gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Normandy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rodri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Normandy throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice takedown defense from Normandy. No joy for Rodri on that attempt.
James Normandy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jos Rodri.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodri takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Rodri steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Normandy. That one must have hurt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Normandy.

Rodri throws Normandy to one side and escapes!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Normandy's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rodri under the eye.
Normandy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rodri manages to avoid it.
Rodri fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Normandy avoids it really well and circles away.
Normandy throws a body punch but Rodri moves out of range.
Rodri gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rodri darts in looking for a takedown but Normandy gets double underhooks and turns Rodri into the cage.
Rodri shoots in looking for a takedown but Normandy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rodri's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Normandy thuds his shin into the meat of Rodri's side.
Normandy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rodri.
Normandy scores with a nice right hand.
Rodri takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Normandy, as that shot connected.
A looping hook to the body misses from Normandy. Rodri does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Normandy throws a hook to the side of Rodri's head but Rodri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rodri is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Rodri tries to clinch up.
Rodri dives in for a single leg takedown but Normandy sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jos Rodri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Normandy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rodri.
Normandy thuds his shin into the meat of Rodri's side.
Normandy wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Normandy moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rodri tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Normandy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Normandy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rodri.
Normandy digs a good body shot into Rodri's ribs.
Normandy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rodri.

Rodri gets caught napping as Normandy dives in and scores a takedown. Rodri manages to retain guard.
Normandy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodri works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Normandy throws a strike but Rodri rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodri stopping the sweep attempt from Normandy.
Normandy trying to control the position.
Rodri pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Normandy is keeping the position for now.
Normandy is trying to control the position but Rodri postures up.
Normandy is trying to hold Rodri in close to prevent damage but Rodri has managed to pass into half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Rodri performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rodri shoots for a takedown but Normandy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rodri gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Normandy throws the kick towards the body but Rodri avoids it.
Normandy keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A punch combination from Rodri misses.
Rodri takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Rodri is trying desperately to land a takedown but Normandy is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Rodri.
Rodri takes one to the chin there.
James Normandy is winning the standup battle so far.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rodri is defended easily by Normandy.
Normandy throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Rodri shoots in for a takedown but Normandy shows good takedown defense.
Normandy with a hook.
Rodri has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Normandy.
Normandy misses with a wild combination.
Nice takedown defense from Normandy. No joy for Rodri on that attempt.
Jos Rodri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodri looks to clinch
and Normandy counters with a nice leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Normandy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Normandy, 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Normandy!