PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sergio Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and RJ Rodgers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). RJ Rodgers has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gracie
vs
Rodgers

176 cm
21
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
145 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, RJ Rodgers!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Emerson Jorge and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie throws an overhand right that lands on Rodgers's shoulder, as Rodgers tries to avoid the shot.
A punch combination from Gracie misses.

Rodgers closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gracie has Rodgers pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rodgers manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rodgers goes for a takedown attempt but Gracie pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Rodgers clinches with his opponent.
Rodgers gets underhooks to prevent Gracie's takedown attempt.
Rodgers lands a body shot.

Rodgers gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Gracie regains full guard. Nicely done.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rodgers can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodgers is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rodgers preventing the sweep.

Rodgers avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rodgers stays in close to Gracie's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gracie has his foot on Rodgers's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rodgers works his way back into a safe position though.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Rodgers trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gracie's guard.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Rodgers from controlling successfully.
Gracie 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.
Rodgers is looking to work some ground and pound but Gracie has wrist control.
Rodgers working some strikes from top position.
Gracie bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rodgers's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers 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.
Gracie trying to control but Rodgers is working from the bottom.
Gracie would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Rodgers has his foot on Gracie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gracie works his way back into a safe position though.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from Rodgers.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Gracie postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rodgers is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gracie, into his guard.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rodgers can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers wants to pass the guard but Gracie is keeping the position.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rodgers looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Rodgers trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Rodgers really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Rodgers pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rodgers doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rodgers manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rodgers content to stall in guard here.
Rodgers trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gracie looking for a guillotine here but Rodgers defends easily.

Rodgers avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rodgers shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Gracie has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Rodgers doesn't defend quickly enough and Gracie has managed to lock this one up! Can Rodgers escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Gracie on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Sergio Gracie!