PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Drew Rodgers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Bustamante (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drew Rodgers could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Carlos Bustamante's chin.

Rodgers
vs
Bustamante

200 cm
19
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Drew Rodgers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carlos Bustamante!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bustamante decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Bustamante is nestled in close to Rodgers, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rodgers is looking to escape.
Bustamante throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rodgers looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rodgers taking some punishment here, with Bustamante in his half guard.
Bustamante lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rodgers is trying to stand.

Bustamante escapes and gets back to his feet.
Bustamante dodges the punch combination from Rodgers.
Rodgers tries to clinch but Bustamante moves out of range.
Rodgers tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bustamante looks to score with a jab to the body but Rodgers is just out of range.
Rodgers is looking to slow Bustamante down with leg kicks.
Rodgers fails with the takedown
and Bustamante cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bustamante gets a takedown into half guard.
Bustamante is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rodgers is trying to stand up here but Bustamante is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bustamante landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Bustamante is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rodgers is breathing heavily.
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. Bustamante connects with a nice short shot to Rodgers's temple.

Rodgers makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Rodgers gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Bustamante lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bustamante must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bustamante scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bustamante postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodgers wants to stand and escape but Bustamante is having none of it.
Bustamante landing with the ground and pound.
Bustamante lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bustamante works over Rodgers with some ground and pound from guard.
Rodgers wants to stand and escape but Bustamante is having none of it.
Bustamante working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rodgers has momentary wrist control but Bustamante slips an elbow through the middle.
Bustamante postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bustamante distracts Rodgers with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
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!
Bustamante chips away with some ground and pound.
Bustamante lands a couple of elbows.
Bustamante lands a couple of digs.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bustamante's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bustamante with a nice head shot there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bustamante accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bustamante loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bustamante scoring with some ground and pound.
Bustamante won't allow Rodgers to get back to his feet.
Bustamante landing with the ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rodgers throws a combination that misses
enabling Bustamante to counter with a crisp jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rodgers.
Rodgers closes the distance but Bustamante moves to the side

and Bustamante decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rodgers's guard.
Bustamante stops Rodgers from standing up.
Bustamante landing some decent shots from guard.
Bustamante works over Rodgers with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bustamante thows a big elbow that misses.
Rodgers is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rodgers has momentary wrist control but Bustamante slips an elbow through the middle.
Bustamante content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bustamante with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rodgers closes the distance but Bustamante moves to the side
and Bustamante counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rodgers tries to clinch but Bustamante moves away
enabling Bustamante to counter with a crisp jab.
Bustamante lands an overhand right.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bustamante scores a takedown into full mount!
Bustamante working Rodgers over with strikes here.
Rodgers is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rodgers walks into a straight right hand from Bustamante.
Rodgers tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Bustamante counters with a shoot takedown. Rodgers fights it but they end up in guard.
Rodgers wants to stand but Bustamante is controlling the position.
Rodgers has momentary wrist control but Bustamante slips an elbow through the middle.
Bustamante chips away with some ground and pound.
Bustamante connects with a couple of short punches.
Bustamante stops Rodgers from standing up.
Bustamante scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bustamante lands a couple of digs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bustamante working some strikes from top position.
Carlos Bustamante has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bustamante scoring with some ground and pound.
Bustamante is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bustamante keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rodgers's head.
Bustamante stops Rodgers from standing up.
Rodgers really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bustamante chips away with some ground and pound.
Bustamante won't allow Rodgers to get back to his feet.
Bustamante makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bustamante will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rodgers tries to clinch

and Bustamante counters with a takedown into side control.
Rodgers is trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bustamante working the ground and pound.
Rodgers is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Bustamante asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Bustamante lands some shots froms side control.
Rodgers wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Rodgers is working to avoid the ground and pound but Bustamante connects with a decent elbow.
Bustamante lands an elbow.
Rodgers is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rodgers tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bustamante counters with a stiff right hand.
Rodgers takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bustamante showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rodgers.

Bustamante shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rodgers's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers is looking to stand up but Bustamante isn't so interested in that idea.
Bustamante connects with a couple of short punches.
Bustamante trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodgers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bustamante works over Rodgers with some ground and pound from guard.
Bustamante scoring with some ground and pound.
Bustamante landing some decent shots from guard.
Bustamante working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rodgers's head.
Bustamante cracks Rodgers with a solid left hand.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bustamante circles away from the clinch attempt
and Bustamante connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four 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.
Bustamante jabs at Rodgers's body.
Bustamante thows a body shot but no joy.
Bustamante misses with an uppercut.
Rodgers closes the distance but Bustamante moves to the side
and Rodgers takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rodgers is looking to clinch.
Drew Rodgers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodgers tries to clinch
and Bustamante connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rodgers tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bustamante counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Bustamante with a nice cross.
Rodgers misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Bustamante showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodgers looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rodgers wants to clinch
and Bustamante counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rodgers darts in trying to clinch

and Bustamante counters with a shoot takedown. Rodgers fights it but they end up in guard.
Bustamante lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bustamante trying to control but Rodgers is working from the bottom.
Bustamante lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rodgers will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Bustamante lands a couple of digs.
Bustamante cracks Rodgers with a solid left hand.
Bustamante prevents Rodgers from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bustamante makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bustamante distracts Rodgers with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bustamante working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bustamante is in close to Rodgers's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bustamante postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rodgers wants to stand but Bustamante is controlling the position.
Bustamante distracts Rodgers with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bustamante with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rodgers is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rodgers closes the distance but Bustamante moves to the side

and Bustamante counters with a takedown into side control.
Bustamante prevents Rodgers from escaping the position.
Bustamante lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Bustamante has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Bustamante has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Rodgers with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bustamante cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers tries to clinch up
enabling Bustamante to counter with a crisp jab.
Rodgers wants to clinch
letting Bustamante counter with a right hand.
Rodgers has his takedown stuffed

and Bustamante decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rodgers's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bustamante is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bustamante thows a big elbow that misses.
Rodgers is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bustamante lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers has momentary wrist control but Bustamante slips an elbow through the middle.
Bustamante lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bustamante working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rodgers throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bustamante.
Bustamante bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Rodgers tries to clinch up
and Bustamante counters with a straight right hand.
Bustamante circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rodgers takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rodgers closes the distance looking to clinch

and Bustamante counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bustamante.
Carlos Bustamante is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers can't keep his opponent in guard - Bustamante advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Rodgers is trying to stand back up but Bustamante is controlling him
Drew Rodgers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bustamante lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bustamante looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rodgers with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodgers is trying to stand.
Bustamante trying to control the action but Rodgers is working from the bottom.
Bustamante looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rodgers with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Bustamante comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bustamante 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 25:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 25:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Bustamante!