PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Hodges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mauricio Rua has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Jeff Hodges's chin.

Hodges
vs
Rua

182 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jeff Hodges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mauricio Rua!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paulsen Ambrosius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rua closes the distance and pushes Hodges back into the cage.
Rua will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hodges up against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rua takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Rua receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Hodges blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hodges managing to block the knees to the body from Rua.
Rua missing with knees to the body.
Rua trying to land knees to the body.
Hodges drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rua pulls his leg out and moves away.

Rua moves into range and clinches up with Hodges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hodges managing to block the knees to the body from Rua.
Rua tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hodges avoids it.
Hodges prevents Rua from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rua pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rua blocks a head kick by Hodges.
Rua misses the shot to the body.
Hodges shoots for a takedown but Rua saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeff Hodges. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Jeff Hodges has been cut.
Rua fails to land with a series of punches.
Rua misses with a looping right.
Hodges feinted with a counter takedown.
Rua shoots for a double leg takedown but Hodges sprawls well. He's pushed Rua's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Rua fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hodges, pushing him back against the cage.
Rua is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hodges is defending well for now.
Rua gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hodges.
Hodges blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hodges on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodges is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rua to keep the fight standing.
Hodges has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rua avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rua trying to stall but Hodges improves his position.
Rua gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hodges.
Rua is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hodges is defending well for now.
Hodges managing to block the knees to the body from Rua.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rua tries to land knees in the clinch but Hodges avoids the damage to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hodges as Rua tries to tie him up.
Rua looking to stall.
Rua tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hodges avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hodges has Rua pressed against the cage, preventing Rua from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rua is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hodges is defending well for now.
Rua wants to break free but Hodges has control.
Hodges wants to take the fight to the mat but Rua manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hodges lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rua is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hodges on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua stalling.
Rua missing with knees to the body.
Rua missing with knees to the body.
Rua trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hodges tries to pull guard but Rua won't allow it.
Rua is pressed up against the cage. Hodges has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rua down to the mat. Rua avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Hodges darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Rua is defending against the submission attempts here by Hodges.

Rua looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
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. Hodges connects with a nice short shot to Rua's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Rua dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jeff Hodges's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hodges dives in for a single leg takedown but Rua sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Rua moves into range and clinches up with Hodges.
Rua has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rua takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hodges is looking to take this one to the mat.

Rua breaks the clinch.
Rua fails to land the takedown.
Rua shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hodges defends it nicely.
Hodges drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rua sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hodges counters with a series of strikes. Rua will be more careful next time no doubt.
Jeff Hodges has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mauricio Rua.
Rua shoots in looking for a takedown. Hodges tries to sprawl out of it but Rua keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hodges manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rua is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hodges.
Hodges changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rua tries to avoid it but Hodges manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rua to the ground. Rua escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hodges displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rua.
Hodges half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Rua swings away with a body shot that misses

and Hodges counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rua won't be happy with that.
Rua tries to buck Hodges off but Hodges is having none of it.

Hodges tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rua is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodges working the ground and pound.
Hodges working the ground and pound.
Rua is looking to reverse the position.
Rua keeps trying to improve his position.

Hodges is trying to get an arm triangle but Rua is defending well.
Hodges working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Rua is trying to work for a sweep but Hodges has mounted him!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rua tries to control the position but Hodges now has his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Hodges scores with punches from the back.
I really don't envy Rua right now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hodges knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rua on the ground.
Rua is still trying to improve position.

Hodges patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Rua looking very determined here, making life difficult for Hodges.
I really don't envy Rua right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hodges not allowing Rua to control his hands.
Hodges keeps control of the position as Rua tries to break free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Hodges dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jeff Hodges's cut.
That's time! Hodges's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hodges fails to land the takedown.
Hodges could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hodges staying out of range there.
Hodges changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Rua takes the fight into the clinch.
Hodges wants a takedown.
Hodges avoiding damage as Rua throws knees to the body.
Rua trying to land knees to the body.
Hodges managing to block the knees to the body from Rua.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rua escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hodges fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeff Hodges. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hodges dives in and grabs Rua's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rua pushes down on Hodges's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua lands with an uppercut that bounces Hodges off the cage and back into range.
Jeff Hodges is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rua drops Hodges with a huge uppercut! Hodges drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Rua is raining down punches and the ref stops the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:11 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mauricio Rua!