PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eduardo Batista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roger Rydell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Roger Rydell will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Batista
vs
Rydell

200 cm
18
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

164 cm
20
139 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eduardo Batista!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Roger Rydell!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rydell moves into the clinch.
Batista is looking for a takedown.
Batista is trying to pull guard but Rydell has him pressed against the cage.
Rydell tries to pull guard but Batista forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Rydell gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Rydell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Batista keeps working.
Batista controlling the position well.
Batista is looking for a sweep. Rydell is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rydell thows a huge punch but Batista dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batista is staying active underneath Rydell, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Batista is trying to get back to full guard.
Rydell is keen to just control but Batista is a slippery customer.
Rydell winds up and cracks Batista with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rydell trying to pass the guard but Batista defending well.
Batista desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Rydell passes to full mount!
Batista sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Nice strikes from Rydell there.
Batista is looking to control Rydell's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Batista avoid being mounted?
Batista really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Batista pushes Rydell off looking to stand but Rydell dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batista keeping control of the position.
Rydell wants to pass to mount but Batista is defending the position.
Batista is trying to maintain the position but Rydell is very close to passing his half guard.
Rydell looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rydell tries to stand and escape but Batista is controlling the position.
Batista tries to roll over but Rydell keeps him under control.

Batista looking for submissions off his back.
Batista looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Rydell seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rydell is trying to control the action in half guard but Batista is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rydell doesn't manage to clinch there - Batista circles away.
Rydell fails to land the takedown.

Rydell has Batista up against the cage in a clinch.

Batista manages to pull guard.

Batista has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rydell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batista working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rydell.
Rydell works over Batista with some ground and pound from guard.
Rydell looking to pass the guard.

Rydell gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Rydell wants to clinch up but Batista keeps it at a distance.
Batista changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rydell tries to avoid it but Batista manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rydell to the ground. Rydell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eduardo Batista. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batista is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rydell.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Batista tries to keep at a distance but Rydell has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rydell prevents a takedown attempt there.
Batista tries to work over Rydell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Rydell dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Batista gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rydell lands a right hand that snaps the head of Batista backwards.
Rydell tries a body shot but Batista blocks it.

Rydell manages to pull guard.

Rydell looking for a guillotine here but Batista defends easily.
Batista distracts Rydell with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rydell manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Batista manages to get himself to full guard.

Batista is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batista 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.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Batista holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rydell wants to control from the top but Batista keeps moving.
Batista has a closed guard, preventing Rydell from standing up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Batista holds on and takes a little breather.
Batista lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Batista stays in close to Rydell's body and controls the position.

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.

Batista is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rydell is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rydell has escaped and now he's on top!

Batista trying to strike off his back.
Batista pulls Rydell in close to prevent any damage.
Rydell wants to control from the top but Batista keeps moving.
Rydell throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batista working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rydell.
Rydell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Batista is trying to keep Rydell in close.
Batista controlling the position.
Rydell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Batista works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Batista keeping moving, preventing Rydell from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rydell.
Batista gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Rydell wants to control the pace but Batista is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batista doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?

Rydell is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Batista to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Batista shrugs it off.
Rydell landing strikes, looking to finish!
Rydell lands a nice shot to the head.
Batista is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Batista looks out of his depth in this position - he's holding on tight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Rydell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rydell gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rydell is trying to pull guard but Batista has him pressed against the cage.
Rydell goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Batista has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rydell avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Batista drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rydell pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rydell is looking to clinch.
Rydell tries to close the distance and clinch but Batista swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Batista appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rydell. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Rydell rushes Batista and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Batista drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eduardo Batista. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batista's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rydell throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rydell is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Batista is keeping busy.
Batista managing to block the knees to the body from Rydell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batista tries for a takedown. No joy.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rydell.

Rydell successfully pulls guard.
Rydell keeping moving, preventing Batista from controlling successfully.
Rydell 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.
Rydell is trying to control the position but Batista postures up.

Batista gets to his feet. Rydell looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Batista has his takedown stuffed
and Rydell counters with a series of strikes. Batista will be more careful next time no doubt.

Batista clinches.
Rydell tries a body shot but Batista blocks it.
Rydell can't get the takedown.
Rydell leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batista has had enough of the clinch but Rydell keeps him there for the moment.
Batista on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Roger Rydell seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Batista swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Batista takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rydell avoiding damage as Batista throws knees to the body.

Rydell pulls guard successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Batista wants to control from the top but Rydell keeps moving.
Rydell will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Rydell wriggles free and stands up.

Rydell has Batista up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rydell tries to pull guard but Batista won't allow it.

Rydell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No luck for Rydell with that takedown attempt.
Batista leaves Rydell with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rydell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rydell.

Rydell gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Batista preventing the sweep.
Batista trying to control but Rydell is working from the bottom.

Batista gets to his feet - Rydell follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batista swats away the attempt to clinch by Rydell.

Rydell darts in and clinches Batista up against the cage.

Rydell pulls guard effortlessly.

Batista gets to his feet - Rydell follows without any prompting.

Rydell darts in and clinches Batista up against the cage.
Rydell fails to pull guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Batista tightens his grip and picks Rydell up, before dumping him to the ground. Rydell manages to land in guard.
Rydell wants to get back to his feet but Batista passes into half guard.

Rydell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Eduardo Batista has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roger Rydell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Rydell is defending against the submission attempts here by Batista.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roger Rydell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rydell has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight for Roger Rydell!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Roger Rydell!
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight for Roger Rydell!

Roger Rydell wins by unanimous decision!