PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dirk Norbit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dirk Norbit will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Rodriguez
vs
Norbit

172 cm
28
200 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

183 cm
25
205 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mark Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dirk Norbit!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Norbit closes the distance and pushes Rodriguez back into the cage.
Norbit throws a head punch that misses.
Rodriguez looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Norbit tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Norbit misses with some punches.
I was talking to Rodriguez's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Rodriguez tries to break free but Norbit pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Norbit.
Rodriguez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rodriguez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Norbit swings wildly with an uppercut but Rodriguez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Norbit throws a head punch that misses.
Norbit misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rodriguez blocks an uppercut.
Norbit gets through Rodriguez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Norbit fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norbit misses with the head strike.
Norbit lands with a short shot to the head.

Norbit breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Norbit misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rodriguez is looking to land body kicks.
Rodriguez throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The crowd cheers as Rodriguez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Norbit doesn't seem phased though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a right and a left that Norbit avoids nicely.
Rodriguez pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Norbit back to the cage. Rodriguez follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Norbit throws the kick towards the body but Rodriguez avoids it.
Rodriguez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Norbit throws a head kick that misses.
Rodriguez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Norbit.
Norbit throws a hook to the side of Rodriguez's head but Rodriguez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rodriguez is looking to counter punch.
Sloppy strikes from Rodriguez. Those never looked like landing.
Norbit tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rodriguez was well out of range. Poor timing from Norbit.
A big left from Norbit misses.
Rodriguez appears to be looking for a big counter.
Jab, jab by Norbit - just one landing.
Rodriguez tries a head kick but it misses.
Rodriguez lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rodriguez.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Norbit misses with a head kick.
Rodriguez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rodriguez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Norbit throws out a counter right but Rodriguez avoids it with no problem.
A punch lands to the side of Rodriguez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Norbit throws a looping overhand right but Rodriguez ducks down to avoid it.
An attempted straight right counter from Rodriguez misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norbit throws a body punch but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Rodriguez throws a wild body kick that Norbit sees coming a mile off.
A left and a right from Rodriguez both land. Nice combination.
Rodriguez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Norbit pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rodriguez scores with a three punch combo!
Rodriguez throws a combination that misses
and Norbit counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rodriguez is breathing heavily.
Norbit scores with a nice strike.

Norbit moves into the clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rodriguez moves away from the strike by Norbit.

Norbit pushes Rodriguez up against the cage in a clinch.
Norbit prevents Rodriguez from breaking the clinch.

Norbit breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rodriguez scores with a nice head shot.
Rodriguez scores with a three punch combo!
Norbit might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Rodriguez misses with a double jab.
Norbit swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norbit throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
Norbit throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
Rodriguez lands a jab-cross combination.
Norbit throws a one two combo.

Norbit clinches up with Rodriguez and pushes him back against the cage.
Rodriguez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Norbit throws a punch but it's blocked by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Norbit swings wildly with an uppercut but Rodriguez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rodriguez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Norbit softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Norbit prevents Rodriguez from breaking the clinch.
Rodriguez looking to stall.
Rodriguez is trying to break the clinch but Norbit is controlling him.
Norbit swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norbit throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Norbit.
Norbit lands on the inside with an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch on the inside from Norbit fails to land.
Rodriguez is trying to break the clinch but Norbit is controlling him.
Norbit lands a shoulder strike.
Rodriguez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Norbit misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Norbit.
Norbit misses with some punches.
Norbit pushes Rodriguez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Norbit has a couple of punches blocked by Rodriguez.
Norbit swings wildly with an uppercut but Rodriguez uses good head movement to avoid it.

Norbit breaks from the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Norbit throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rodriguez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rodriguez is working the combinations to good effect here.
A jab from Rodriguez finds it's way through Norbit's defenses.
A big left from Norbit misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Norbit closes the distance and clinches.
Norbit lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Norbit softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rodriguez tries to break free but Norbit pushes him back against the cage.

Rodriguez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Norbit loads up on a big right hand but Rodriguez slips the punch.
Norbit throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Norbit lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Norbit tries a head kick but it misses.
Rodriguez slips a straight right by Norbit.
Some wild striking there from Rodriguez.
Norbit has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice shot lands for Rodriguez.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodriguez ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Norbit throws a sloppy head kick
and Rodriguez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rodriguez takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Norbit is looking to clinch but Rodriguez is avoiding it.
It looked like Rodriguez was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A big right from Norbit misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a series of punches but Norbit moves out of range.
Norbit lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Norbit dodges the punch combination from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez throws a head kick but Norbit moves out of range.
Norbit throws a lazy right hand but Rodriguez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rodriguez misses with a combination
and Norbit counters with a three punch combo that has Rodriguez backing up. Rodriguez nods at Norbit to acknowledge the strikes.
Norbit avoids the head kick by Rodriguez.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodriguez defending well as Norbit loads up on a big left hand.
Rodriguez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Norbit swings widly with a right hand
and Rodriguez counters with a two punch combo.
Jab, jab by Norbit - just one landing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Norbit throws out a loose jab but Rodriguez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Norbit pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rodriguez takes a swing at Norbit's ribcage but misses.
Mark Rodriguez is winning the standup battle so far.
Norbit avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norbit pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rodriguez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Norbit counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rodriguez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Norbit.
Rodriguez slips a jab and a cross from Norbit.
It looked like Rodriguez was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Rodriguez ducks under a wild hook from Norbit.
Rodriguez is looking for a counter combo.
Mark Rodriguez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodriguez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Norbit counters with a three punch combo that has Rodriguez backing up. Rodriguez nods at Norbit to acknowledge the strikes.
Norbit looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Norbit misses with a looping right.
Rodriguez throws a head kick but Norbit moves out of range.
Rodriguez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Norbit.
Norbit throws out a loose jab but Rodriguez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rodriguez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rodriguez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Norbit throws a hook but Rodriguez avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Norbit closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rodriguez is trying to break the clinch but Norbit is controlling him.
Rodriguez avoiding damage as Norbit throws knees to the body.
Rodriguez tries to circle away but Norbit has him pinned against the cage.
Norbit throws a head punch that misses.
Rodriguez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A shot in the inside from Norbit.
Rodriguez is trying to push Norbit away but Norbit has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rodriguez blocks an uppercut.
Norbit misses with a short punch on the inside.
Norbit misses with a punch on the inside.
Norbit lands a shoulder strike.
Rodriguez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Norbit scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rodriguez is trying to break the clinch but Norbit is controlling him.
Norbit lands a right hand.
A nice right hand lands inside from Norbit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is trying to break the clinch but Norbit has him pressed against the cage.
A short uppercut from Norbit.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Norbit.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Norbit throws a punch but it's blocked by Rodriguez.
Norbit misses with a hook from the clinch.

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.
Norbit is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Some wild striking there from Rodriguez.
Norbit moves out of range as Rodriguez throws a body kick.
Norbit looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Norbit lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rodriguez circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodriguez misses with a few strikes there.
Rodriguez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Norbit circles away quickly and effectively.
The fighters circling - Norbit throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Norbit fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dirk Norbit showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rodriguez slips a straight right by Norbit.
Rodriguez appears to be looking for a big counter.
Norbit fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rodriguez checks it well.
Rodriguez lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Norbit backs up against the cage.
Norbit thuds his right hand into Rodriguez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rodriguez lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Norbit misses with a straight left.
Norbit misses with a body kick.
Rodriguez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Norbit.
Rodriguez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Norbit.
Norbit misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rodriguez lands a nice looking body shot.
Rodriguez lands with a slapping head kick.
Rodriguez slips under a jab.
Rodriguez misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Norbit throws a hook to the side of Rodriguez's head but Rodriguez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rodriguez throws a big counter combination but Norbit scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Rodriguez misses with a wild combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norbit takes one on the button.
Rodriguez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Norbit tries a head kick but it misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Norbit misses the target.
Rodriguez moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rodriguez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Norbit misses with a hook. Rodriguez ducked under it nicely.
Rodriguez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Norbit.
Rodriguez throws a counter high kick but Norbit was just alert enough to avoid it.
Rodriguez misses with a few strikes there.
Norbit throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Norbit blocks a head kick by Rodriguez.
Norbit throws a big shot that misses.
Norbit checks a low kick from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez walks into a stiff left hand from Norbit.
Norbit throws an overhand right that lands on Rodriguez's shoulder, as Rodriguez tries to avoid the shot.
Rodriguez throws a combination. Norbit tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Some wild striking there from Rodriguez.

Norbit clinches up against the cage.
Rodriguez tries to break the clinch but Norbit is controlling the position.
Rodriguez tries to circle away but Norbit has him pinned against the cage.
Norbit misses with some punches.
Norbit keeps control of Rodriguez as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Norbit swings wildly with an uppercut but Rodriguez uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Norbit fails to land.
Norbit lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rodriguez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Rodriguez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Norbit throws a leg kick but Rodriguez sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rodriguez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Norbit, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick and Norbit moves out of range easily.
Rodriguez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Norbit.

Norbit has closed the distance and engaged Rodriguez in a clinch.
Norbit working aggressively here.
Norbit tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dirk Norbit is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rodriguez working hard to break the clinch.
Dirk Norbit seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rodriguez looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rodriguez is trying to break the clinch but Norbit has him pressed against the cage.
Norbit prevents Rodriguez from breaking the clinch.
Rodriguez is trying to break the clinch but Norbit is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norbit misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rodriguez tries to break free but Norbit pushes him back against the cage.
Rodriguez is looking to break free of the clinch but Norbit has double underhooks.
Norbit keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rodriguez's efforts to push away.
Rodriguez is trying to push Norbit away but Norbit has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Norbit prevents Rodriguez from breaking the clinch.
Norbit misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mark Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodriguez tries to work over Norbit's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

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 Mark Rodriguez.
I think Norbit 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dirk Norbit!
Dirk Norbit decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.