PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Diego Rodrigo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Davis Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodrigo comes to the cage accompanied by Pachanga - Calienta. Davis Jr is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Royal Britannia. Justin Davis Jr struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 158.0lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rodrigo
vs
Davis Jr

162 cm
23
156 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

170 cm
20
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

TAKEDOWN inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Diego Rodrigo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Justin Davis Jr!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Damien Edna and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigo tries to close the distance and clinch but Davis Jr swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rodrigo looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
A nice combination there by Davis Jr.
Davis Jr fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rodrigo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Davis Jr counters with a left to the body.
A big left from Rodrigo misses.
Rodrigo misses with a combination
and Rodrigo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rodrigo misses with a double jab
and Davis Jr counters with a three punch combo that has Rodrigo backing up. Rodrigo nods at Davis Jr to acknowledge the strikes.
Davis Jr avoids the head kick by Rodrigo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Davis Jr scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Davis Jr lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Davis Jr fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Davis Jr fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davis Jr swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Davis Jr lands a two punch combo.
Davis Jr throws a combination. Rodrigo tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rodrigo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rodrigo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rodrigo could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Rodrigo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Davis Jr scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Davis Jr throws a series of strikes that have Rodrigo backpedaling.
Rodrigo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Davis Jr counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Davis Jr lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Davis Jr lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rodrigo backs up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Davis Jr lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Davis Jr moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Davis Jr closes the distance and clinches up with Rodrigo, looking for a takedown. Davis Jr pushes Rodrigo against the cage but Rodrigo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Diego Rodrigo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Davis Jr.
Rodrigo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Davis Jr counters with a series of strikes. Rodrigo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Davis Jr shoots in for a takedown but Rodrigo shows good takedown defense.
Rodrigo swats away the attempt to clinch by Davis Jr.
Rodrigo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Davis Jr counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rodrigo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Davis Jr counters with a one-two to the body.
Davis Jr swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Rodrigo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rodrigo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davis Jr tries to throw a body punch but Rodrigo avoids it by throwing Davis Jr back against the cage.

Rodrigo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diego Rodrigo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rodrigo takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Davis Jr scores with a three punch combo!
Davis Jr lands a jab-cross combination.

Rodrigo rushes Davis Jr and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rodrigo manages to break the clinch.
Davis Jr pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rodrigo is out of range and Davis Jr settles back down.
Rodrigo throws a head kick but Davis Jr moves out of range.
Rodrigo doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rodrigo wants to clinch.
Davis Jr scores with a three punch combo!

That's four 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.
Rodrigo throws a combination that misses
and Davis Jr counters with a left to the body.
Rodrigo misses with a double jab
and Davis Jr counters with an outside leg kick.
Rodrigo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Davis Jr scores with a three punch combo!
Davis Jr lands with a nice combination. Rodrigo backs away looking to recover.
Rodrigo throws a left and a right that both miss
and Davis Jr counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rodrigo closes the distance and clinches.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Davis Jr is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Davis Jr dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Davis Jr misses with a two punch combination.
Rodrigo has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Rodrigo throws a head kick but Davis Jr moves out of range.
Davis Jr tries to clinch but Rodrigo moves out of range.
Rodrigo looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Davis Jr lands a nice shot that snaps Rodrigo's head back.
Diego Rodrigo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Davis Jr tries to clinch there but Rodrigo circles away.
Rodrigo tries to clinch up but Davis Jr circles away and keeps his distance.
Davis Jr lands with a nice combination. Rodrigo backs away looking to recover.
A nice combination there by Davis Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodrigo tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Davis Jr counters with a series of strikes. Rodrigo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Davis Jr throws a nice looking combination but Rodrigo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Davis Jr throws a one two combo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodrigo keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davis Jr scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Rodrigo closes the distance and clinches.
Nice body punch from Rodrigo.

Rodrigo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rodrigo ducks right into an uppercut from Davis Jr.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rodrigo!
Diego Rodrigo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Davis Jr throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rodrigo loads up on a big right hand but Davis Jr slips the punch.
Rodrigo misses with a combination
and Davis Jr counters with a one-two to the body.
Davis Jr throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Rodrigo closes the distance and clinches.
Rodrigo is trying to break the clinch but Davis Jr has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo blocking some punches.
Rodrigo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Davis Jr escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rodrigo throws a big shot that misses.
Davis Jr tries for a takedown but Rodrigo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rodrigo throws a lazy head kick
and Davis Jr counters with a two punch combo.
Davis Jr throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rodrigo's head.
Rodrigo throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Davis Jr to counter with a crisp jab.
Rodrigo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Davis Jr counters with a left to the body.
Rodrigo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Davis Jr counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rodrigo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Davis Jr counters with a one-two to the body.
Rodrigo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Davis Jr counters with a straight right hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rodrigo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Davis Jr counters with a left and a right that stings Rodrigo.
Rodrigo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rodrigo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Davis Jr counters with a straight right hand.
Rodrigo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rodrigo misses with a double jab
and Davis Jr counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rodrigo misses the body punch
and Davis Jr counters with a two punch combo.
Davis Jr tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rodrigo missing with a left hand there. Davis Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Davis Jr looks to land a combination. Rodrigo sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A right-left combo lands from Davis Jr.

That's four 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.
Rodrigo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Davis Jr paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Davis Jr scores with a one two! Rodrigo had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rodrigo misses with a combination
and Davis Jr counters with a nice uppercut.
Davis Jr keeps the fight on the outside.
Rodrigo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Davis Jr is looking to chop away at Rodrigo's legs.
Rodrigo misses with a combination
and Davis Jr counters with a nice uppercut.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Davis Jr fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rodrigo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Davis Jr counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Davis Jr tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Rodrigo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rodrigo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Justin Davis Jr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Davis Jr throws a head kick that misses.
Rodrigo misses with a double jab
and Rodrigo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Davis Jr throws a one two combo.
Davis Jr throws a lazy head kick

and Rodrigo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Rodrigo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A right-left combo lands from Davis Jr.
Davis Jr tries to clinch but Rodrigo is having none of it.
Rodrigo throws a combination that misses
and Davis Jr counters with a series of strikes. Rodrigo will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodrigo throws a combination that misses
and Davis Jr counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodrigo throws a combination that misses
and Davis Jr counters with a one-two to the body.
Davis Jr will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Davis Jr keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davis Jr misses with a head kick.
Rodrigo throws a combination that misses
and Davis Jr counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Davis Jr wants to clinch.
Davis Jr throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rodrigo.
Davis Jr scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Rodrigo clinches up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rodrigo.
Davis Jr creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Rodrigo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Davis Jr is working the combinations to good effect here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

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.

Rodrigo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rodrigo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Davis Jr counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Rodrigo closes the distance and clinches.
Davis Jr misses with some punches.
Davis Jr looking to stall.
Davis Jr lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Davis Jr wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rodrigo has him pressed against the cage.
Davis Jr misses with a punch to the body.
Davis Jr is trying to break free.
Davis Jr trying to stall but Rodrigo improves his position.

Rodrigo manages to break the clinch.
Davis Jr misses with a series of wild punches.
Davis Jr scores with a hook.
Rodrigo wants to clinch up but Davis Jr keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigo moves into the clinch.
Rodrigo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Davis Jr is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Rodrigo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rodrigo takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rodrigo misses with a combination
and Davis Jr counters with a one-two to the body.
Rodrigo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Davis Jr counters with a one-two to the body.
Davis Jr avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rodrigo moves in looking to clinch but Davis Jr pushes him off.
Davis Jr lands a two punch combo.
Justin Davis Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodrigo throws a head kick that misses.

That's four 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.
Rodrigo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Davis Jr counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Davis Jr defending well as Rodrigo loads up on a big left hand.
Davis Jr digs a good hook to Rodrigo's body.
Rodrigo tries to clinch up but Davis Jr circles away and keeps his distance.
Diego Rodrigo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Davis Jr tries to clinch there but Rodrigo circles away.
Rodrigo throws a combination that misses
letting Davis Jr counter with a right hand.
Rodrigo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Davis Jr counters with a two punch combo.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodrigo tries to clinch but Davis Jr is having none of it.
Rodrigo tries to clinch there but Davis Jr circles away.
Some bone on bone action there as Rodrigo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Diego Rodrigo.
I think Davis Jr has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Davis Jr!