PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Andy Rodgers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kasak Kusuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andy Rodgers has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Rodgers
vs
Kusuk

200 cm
18
143 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andy Rodgers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kasak Kusuk!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Ben Watson and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kusuk looks to score with a jab to the body but Rodgers is just out of range.
Rodgers throws a right and a left that Kusuk avoids nicely.
Good shot there by Rodgers.
A lazy left from Rodgers finds it's target.
A punch combination from Kusuk misses.
Rodgers needs to keep his hands up - Kusuk had a free shot at his head there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rodgers lands with a nice body punch.
Rodgers cracks Kusuk with a good jab.
Rodgers lands a jab to Kusuk's midsection.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kusuk.
Rodgers connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kusuk momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kusuk misses with a shot to the body
and Rodgers counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Rodgers throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kusuk tries to bum rush Rodgers with a series of wild strikes but Rodgers uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kusuk throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rodgers connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kusuk momentarily.
Kusuk looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Rodgers misses with a two punch combination.
Rodgers is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rodgers takes a swing at Kusuk's ribcage but misses.
Kusuk thows a left - swing and a miss!
That kick from Kusuk tenderised Rodgers's leg. Rodgers is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kusuk misses with a lunging right hand
and Rodgers counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kusuk tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rodgers feints a jab promting Kusuk to slip. Rodgers then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kusuk slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rodgers is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kusuk is looking to chop away at Rodgers's legs.
Kusuk looks for the body kick but Rodgers saw that one coming.
Rodgers definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kusuk throws a sloppy head kick and Rodgers moves out of range easily.
Kusuk throws a body kick that misses.
Rodgers slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kasak Kusuk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodgers scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kusuk throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kusuk gets cracked there but stands up to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodgers scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rodgers shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kusuk eats them both and turns towards Rodgers to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Kusuk throws a body shot but no joy.
Rodgers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kusuk was well out of range. Poor timing from Rodgers.
Kusuk takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice shot by Rodgers.
A bone on bone clash there as Rodgers blocks the leg kick.
Kusuk throws a head kick but Rodgers moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusuk swings widly with a right hand
and Rodgers counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rodgers really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kusuk takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rodgers throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rodgers is working the combinations to good effect here.
Kusuk showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rodgers.
Rodgers misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kusuk swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rodgers swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rodgers throws a big shot that misses.
Kusuk connects with a jab.
Kusuk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rodgers moves away.
It looked like Rodgers wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A combination from Rodgers does no damage.
Kusuk swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kusuk throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rodgers takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kusuk takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rodgers lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rodgers lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kusuk takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rodgers getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A solid leg kick lands there for Kusuk.
Rodgers lands with an overhand left.
Rodgers swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kusuk throws a sloppy head kick and Rodgers moves out of range easily.
Rodgers lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kusuk misses with a body shot.
Kusuk moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Kusuk might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Rodgers has got the better of the exchanges.
Rodgers swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rodgers jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rodgers misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kusuk.
Kusuk drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rodgers defends it well.
A swing and a miss from Kusuk.
Rodgers fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kusuk has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kusuk defending well as Rodgers loads up on a big left hand.
Kusuk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rodgers throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kusuk throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Rodgers counter with a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodgers works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kusuk misses with a straight left.
Rodgers takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers moves out of range of the body kick.
Kusuk throws a head kick but Rodgers moves out of range.
Rodgers lunges at Kusuk with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kusuk's hand.
Kusuk lands the left hand.
Kusuk throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rodgers sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A low kick from Kusuk is predictable there
and Rodgers counters with a right hand to the body.
Kusuk throws a leg kick which misses Rodgers's front leg but catches the back leg as Rodgers tries to avoid it.
Rodgers tries to bum rush Kusuk with a series of wild strikes but Kusuk uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kusuk throws out a leg kick but Rodgers moves out of range and Kusuk only half commits.
Rodgers scores with a three punch combo!
Rodgers misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rodgers connects with a right hand. Kusuk shakes it off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kusuk lunges at Rodgers with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rodgers's hand.
A big left from Rodgers misses.
Kusuk throws a leg kick but Rodgers sees it coming and moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Kusuk.
Andy Rodgers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodgers displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusuk throws a head kick that misses
and Rodgers counters with a nice uppercut.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rodgers checks a leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Rodgers.
Jab by Rodgers.
Rodgers pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kusuk back to the cage. Rodgers follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rodgers misses with the combination.
Kusuk drops his hands momentarily and Rodgers takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sloppy strikes from Rodgers. Those never looked like landing.
Andy Rodgers is winning the standup battle so far.
Kusuk throws a body punch but Rodgers moves out of range.
Rodgers scores with a nice right hand.
Kusuk throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodgers just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodgers throws a body punch but Kusuk moves out of range.
Rodgers lunges at Kusuk with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kusuk's hand.
Kusuk throws a jab but it's blocked by Rodgers.
Rodgers swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rodgers feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kusuks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Rodgers dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kusuk throws out a loose jab but Rodgers uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kusuk is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rodgers.
Kusuk misses with a double jab.
Rodgers swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kusuk throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kusuk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rodgers stalks Kusuk and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kusuk's face. Kusuk staggers backwards, shaken.
Rodgers misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kusuk.
A head kick by Kusuk misses
and Kusuk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A bone on bone clash there as Rodgers blocks the leg kick.
Kusuk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rodgers was well out of range. Poor timing from Kusuk.
Kusuk misses with a low kick as Rodgers jumps back.
Rodgers misses with a wild body shot.
Jab by Rodgers.
Kusuk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rodgers moves away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kusuk on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kusuk throws a series of punches but Rodgers avoids them all with ease.
Rodgers was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kusuk on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rodgers lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kusuk backs up against the cage.
Rodgers throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Rodgers misses.
Jab from Rodgers.
Kusuk tries to move into range but Rodgers moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kusuk swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sloppy strikes from Rodgers. Those never looked like landing.
Kusuk is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Rodgers is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kusuk fails to land with a series of punches.
Kusuk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rodgers.
A counter left hand to the body from Rodgers misses its target.
Some bone on bone action there as Rodgers checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rodgers appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kusuk throws a body kick that misses.
Kusuk has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rodgers is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kusuk can do to turn this around?
Kusuk throws a hook to the side of Rodgers's head but Rodgers sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kusuk's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rodgers connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kusuk scrambles back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodgers throws a jab when Kusuk was well out of range.
Rodgers lands a glancing blow to the side of Kusuk's head.
Rodgers uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kusuk.
Kusuk throws a combination that misses
and Rodgers cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rodgers stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kusuk.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusuk goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kusuk throws a hook but Rodgers blocks it.
Rodgers seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rodgers moves out of range as Kusuk throws a body kick.
Rodgers throws out a powerful jab.
Rodgers lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kusuk circles away quickly and effectively.
Rodgers feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kusuks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Rodgers scores with a shot to the body.
Kusuk throws the left hand but Rodgers avoids the punch easily.
Kusuk avoids the body shot from Rodgers.
Rodgers throws a one two combo.
Kusuk throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rodgers is looking to counter punch.
Rodgers with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kusuk to score with a decent uppercut.
Kusuk throws a poor cross that misses
and Rodgers counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodgers swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rodgers moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rodgers takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A big right from Rodgers misses.
Kusuk keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rodgers.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Rodgers clearly takes that round.
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.

Kusuk throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Rodgers misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kusuk tried to score with a low kick but Rodgers checks it.
Kusuk bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kusuk swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kusuk tries a head kick but it misses.
Kusuk dodges the punch combination from Rodgers.
Rodgers looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kusuk takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kusuk throws the kick towards the body but Rodgers avoids it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kusuk lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Rodgers has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rodgers and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rodgers was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kusuk needs to keep his hands up - Rodgers had a free shot at his head there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodgers blocks a jab.
Rodgers lands a body shot.
Rodgers displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodgers swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A head kick from Kusuk lands but Rodgers takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusuk misses with a hook
and Rodgers counters with a two punch combo.
Some wild striking there from Rodgers.
Kusuk throws a body kick that misses.
Rodgers lands a slapping body shot.
Kusuk misses the shot to the body.
Kusuk takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rodgers goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rodgers swings for the body but Kusuk moves out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Kusuk. That snapped Rodgers's head back.
Kusuk throws a head kick that misses.
Rodgers was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rodgers misses with an uppercut. Kusuk saw that one coming.
It seemed like Kusuk was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Rodgers cracks Kusuk with a good jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kusuk on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A jab from Rodgers misses.
Rodgers misses with a wild combination.
Kusuk drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rodgers defends it well.
Rodgers lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers lands a body shot.
Kusuk throws a leg kick but Rodgers moved away.
Kusuk misses the jab.
As Kusuk looks to move away, Rodgers throws a big counter combo bu Kusuk just gets out of the way.
Rodgers scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kusuk in his tracks.
Rodgers connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kusuk momentarily.
Rodgers avoids the head kick by Kusuk.
Kusuk tries a head kick but it misses.
Kusuk misses with a low kick.
Kusuk sizes up Rodgers with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Jab by Rodgers.
Nice jab there from Rodgers.
Rodgers swinging wildly here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodgers throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kusuk.
Rodgers blocks the body kick.
Kusuk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Rodgers had his way with Kasak Kusuk in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kusuk does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rodgers, as that shot connected.
Rodgers misses with a series of wild punches.
Rodgers connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kusuk's hands.
Kusuk walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rodgers checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rodgers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kusuk was well out of range. Poor timing from Rodgers.
Kusuk scores with a spinning back kick!
A head kick misses from Kusuk.
Rodgers was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rodgers swings for the body but Kusuk moves out of range.
As Rodgers backs off Kusuk throws a huge counter combo but Rodgers manages to avoid it all.
Rodgers looks to land a right hand but Kusuk moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy left from Rodgers finds it's target.
Kusuk walks into a jab.
Kusuk sizes up Rodgers with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kusuk dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rodgers. That did some damage!
Rodgers misses with a straight right.
Rodgers moves away from the strike by Kusuk.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusuk takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rodgers ducks under a wild hook from Kusuk.
Kusuk throws a low kick but Rodgers moves out of range easily.
Rodgers throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kusuk on the side of the head.
Rodgers swinging wildly here.
Kusuk is looking to score with low kicks.
Rodgers lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kusuk lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kusuk.
Kusuk looks to land a right hand but Rodgers moved out of range.
Kusuk misses with a hook. Rodgers ducked under it nicely.
Kusuk tries to bum rush Rodgers with a series of wild strikes but Rodgers uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rodgers looks to land a combination but Kusuk avoids it well.
Rodgers dips to his left and cracks Kusuk with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodgers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kusuk was well out of range. Poor timing from Rodgers.
Rodgers throws a series of punches but Kusuk moves out of range.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Rodgers throws a series of punches but Kusuk avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rodgers cracks Kusuk with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kusuk scores with a leg kick.
Rodgers is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A big left from Kusuk misses.
Kusuk throws a hook but Rodgers blocks it.
Rodgers was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A big right from Rodgers misses.
Kusuk fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rodgers looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kusuk with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rodgers lands an overhand right.
Rodgers takes one to the chin there.
Kusuk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kusuk misses with a straight right.
Kusuk showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rodgers.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kusuk throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rodgers counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kasak Kusuk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andy Rodgers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jab by Kusuk.
Kusuk misses with a hook
and Rodgers counters with a nice body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Rodgers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rodgers has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 50:45
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Rodgers!
Andy Rodgers seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.