PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cleto Rodriquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Tucker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom Tucker told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Rodriquez
vs
Tucker

188 cm
23
208 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

182 cm
23
215 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Murder Inc.
TFP Graphics

Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cleto Rodriquez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tom Tucker!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A bone on bone clash there as Tucker blocks the leg kick.
Tucker throws a nice looking combination but Rodriquez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rodriquez blocks a jab.
Tucker on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rodriquez. Rodriquez obviously looking to wear him down.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rodriquez, right into the meat.
Rodriquez scores with a head kick.
Tucker avoids the head kick by Rodriquez.
Tucker throws a series of punches but Rodriquez avoids them all with ease.

Rodriquez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Tucker tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rodriquez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rodriquez landing a few strikes.
Tucker is being controlled here.
Rodriquez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tucker is looking to regain half guard here but Rodriquez keeps moving and retains side control.
Tucker is trying to control Rodriquez's posture but Rodriquez avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriquez tries to stand but Tucker is controlling his head.
Tucker is looking for a sweep.
Tucker sneaks back into half guard.
Rodriquez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rodriquez wants to take a breather but Tucker is having none of it.
Rodriquez is thwarting Tucker's attempts to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rodriquez lands a nice leg kick that just misses Tucker's sensitive parts.
Tucker connects with a body shot.
Rodriquez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tucker as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tucker tries to avoid it but Rodriquez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tucker to the ground. Tucker escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tucker moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tucker swinging wilding here.
Tucker swings for the body but Rodriquez moves out of range.
Tucker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rodriquez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cleto Rodriquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body kick from Rodriquez.
Rodriquez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tucker, as that shot connected.

It looks like Cleto Rodriquez has been cut.
Tucker swings for the body but Rodriquez moves out of range.
Rodriquez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tucker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tucker throws a lazy body kick

and Rodriquez counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Tucker escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rodriquez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tucker keeping moving, preventing Rodriquez from controlling successfully.

Rodriquez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez stopping the sweep attempt from Tucker.
Tucker working a defensive guard here.

Tucker working for a triangle but Rodriquez defends it easily.
Rodriquez wants to control from the top but Tucker keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tucker has momentary wrist control but Rodriquez slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Cleto Rodriquez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Cleto Rodriquez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

No luck for Tucker with that takedown attempt.
Rodriquez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rodriquez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tucker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodriquez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tucker scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tucker throws an overhand right that lands on Rodriquez's shoulder, as Rodriquez tries to avoid the shot.
Rodriquez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rodriquez.
Tucker gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tucker trying to control here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rodriquez connects with a nice short shot to Tucker's temple.
Rodriquez controlling the pace.
Rodriquez working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Tucker actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tucker is trying to get back to full guard.

Tucker actively working from the bottom here.
Tucker is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rodriquez tries to stand but can't do so whilst Tucker controls his leg.
Rodriquez is trying to control the action in half guard but Tucker is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rodriquez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rodriquez looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rodriquez fails to land the takedown.
The fighters circling - Tucker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tucker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rodriquez was well out of range. Poor timing from Tucker.
Tucker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rodriquez.
Cleto Rodriquez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rodriquez tries a head kick but it misses.
Rodriquez takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Tucker avoids the head kick by Rodriquez.
Rodriquez throws a front kick that sends Tucker stumbling back into the cage.

Rodriquez shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tucker's guard.
Tucker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodriquez.
Rodriquez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tucker is keeping the position for now.
Rodriquez wants to control from the top but Tucker keeps moving.
Rodriquezis looking to pass into half guard but Tucker pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Tucker is in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Tucker keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Tucker is bucking up trying to escape but Rodriquez cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Rodriquez has hold of Tucker's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Tucker manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Rodriquez tries to control but Tucker wriggling away.
Tucker can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cleto Rodriquez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Cleto Rodriquez's cut.
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.

Tucker looks to land a combination but Rodriquez avoids it well.
Rodriquez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tucker.
Tucker fails to land with a series of punches.
Tucker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rodriquez circles away quickly and effectively.
Tucker is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rodriquez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tucker looks to land a left hand but Rodriquez moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rodriquez gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tucker chips away with some ground and pound.

Rodriquez looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Tucker has picked Rodriquez up and slammed him! Rodriquez can't keep hold of the triangle and Tucker manages to pass to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tucker is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rodriquez has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tucker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tucker in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Cleto Rodriquez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Tucker looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Rodriquez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Tucker's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rodriquez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rodriquez.

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.
Rodriquez is trying to control the position but Tucker postures up.
Tucker tries to free his leg and advance position but Rodriquez is retaining full guard.
Rodriquez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Rodriquez keeping moving, preventing Tucker from controlling successfully.

Rodriquez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rodriquez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Tucker drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tucker jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tucker 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tucker postures up.
Tucker throwing strikes but missing.
Rodriquez 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.
Rodriquez controlling Tucker's posture.

Rodriquez scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Tucker blocks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tucker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tucker lands with an overhand left.
Rodriquez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tucker scores with a jab to the head.
Tom Tucker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tucker dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rodriquez misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rodriquez slips under a jab from Tucker.
Rodriquez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tucker blocks a leg kick.
Tucker misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Tucker really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cleto Rodriquez's cut.
That's time! Rodriquez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tucker swinging wilding here.
Rodriquez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tucker throws out the jab.
Rodriquez throws a head kick that half lands.
Rodriquez scores with a push kick.

Tucker scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rodriquez manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Rodriquez is tying to control. Tucker wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tucker is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Rodriquez is trying to work for a kimura but Tucker is defending well.
Tucker wants to improve his position but Rodriquez is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriquez is trying to control the action in half guard but Tucker is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tucker tries to roll over but Rodriquez keeps him under control.
Rodriquez seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Tucker manages to get to full guard.
Tucker is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Tucker is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Tucker is looking for a triangle but Rodriquez pushes his legs off easily.
Tucker utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Tucker throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Rodriquez escapes and throws Tucker's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Sloppy strikes there by Rodriquez.
Tucker is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodriquez fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Rodriquez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tucker keeps working.
Tucker is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez trying to control the position but Tucker is working away.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rodriquez fakes the leg kick and cracks Tucker in the body.
Rodriquez throws a head kick that Tucker semi-blocks.
Rodriquez connects with a high kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Rodriquez.
Rodriquez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rodriquez lands with a slapping head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tucker takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Rodriquez turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Rodriquez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rodriquez lands strikes from half guard.
Tucker avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rodriquez.
Rodriquez seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Rodriquez is working for a kimura but Tucker is defending it quite comfortably.

Tucker looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cleto Rodriquez had his way with Tom Tucker in that round.
The cut man is working on Cleto Rodriquez's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Rodriquez throws a head kick that half lands.
Rodriquez throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tucker takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tucker throws a looping overhand right but Rodriquez ducks down to avoid it.
Rodriquez dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tucker. That did some damage!
Rodriquez explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Rodriquez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rodriquez slips under a jab.
Rodriquez doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Tucker counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rodriquez won't be happy with that.
Tucker is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriquez is not content to let Tucker control the position.
Rodriquez is trying to improve his position.
Rodriquez is trying to control Tucker's posture but Tucker avoids it.
Rodriquez manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Tucker wants to pass the guard but Rodriquez is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Rodriquez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Tucker is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rodriquez sees it coming and defends easily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rodriquez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tucker throws out the jab.
Tucker gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rodriquez counters with a nice low kick that buckles Tucker's knee momentarily.
Rodriquez lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tucker walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rodriquez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Rodriquez - that will leave a mark!
Rodriquez throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tucker.
Rodriquez lands with a kick to the temple. Tucker shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Rodriquez misses with a head kick.
Tucker misses the shot to the body.
Rodriquez throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tucker avoids the head kick by Rodriquez.
Tucker has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Rodriquez.
Tucker just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Tucker as Rodriquez shoots in.
Rodriquez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tucker.
Rodriquez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tucker counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cleto Rodriquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big left from Tucker misses.
Cleto Rodriquez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tucker looks to score with a jab to the body but Rodriquez is just out of range.
Tucker lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Tom Tucker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Rodriquez shoots in and bounces Tucker off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Tucker is striking from the bottom but Rodriquez uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cleto Rodriquez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rodriquez 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cleto Rodriquez!
Cleto Rodriquez retains his light heavyweight title!