PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Emanuel Rodrigez (ranked 5827 p4p, 681 weight class) and Dex Arial (ranked 7842 p4p, 786 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Rodrigez
vs
Arial

188 cm
24
173 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

178 cm
20
176 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Emanuel Rodrigez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dex Arial!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arial goes for a double leg but Rodrigez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rodrigez continues to drive forward.
Rodrigez is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Arial.
Arial misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
As Arial tries to get set, Rodrigez tries to push him back and clinch up but Arial manages to avoid the attempt.

Arial looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Rodrigez!
Arial working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodrigez can't do much from the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Arial thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Arial lands a few punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigez is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Arial has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Rodrigez is looking for a sweep.
Rodrigez taking punishment in the form of punches.
Arial creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rodrigez sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Arial goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rodrigez rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Arial's guard! Nice work there by Rodrigez!
Rodrigez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Arial's guard.
Rodrigez won't allow Arial to sweep him here.
Rodrigez trying to control the position from guard on top but Arial is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodrigez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Arial preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Arial keeping moving, preventing Rodrigez from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rodrigez pushing down on Arial's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Rodrigez is just content to waste time from the top position. Arial takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Arial wants to stand but Rodrigez is controlling the position.
Arial has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Spar Bros. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Rodrigez trying to control but Arial is working from the bottom.
Rodrigez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arial utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rodrigez being controlled here momentarily.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Arial can do anything to dispel that myth.
Arial keeping moving, preventing Rodrigez from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Arial shoots in for a takedown but Rodrigez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A quick step to the side and Rodrigez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Emanuel Rodrigez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dex Arial.

Arial shoots in and bounces Rodrigez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Arial wants to control from the top but Rodrigez keeps moving.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rodrigez tries to stand but Arial is controlling from the bottom.
Rodrigez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Arial utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rodrigez is looking to stand up but Arial won't let him.
Rodrigez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rodrigez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rodrigez has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Arial is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Rodrigez prevents Arial from getting back to his feet.
Arial keeping moving, preventing Rodrigez from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emanuel Rodrigez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Arial misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Arial throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rodrigez tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Arial is in Rodrigez's guard.
Rodrigez pulls Arial in to control the position.
Rodrigez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Dex Arial has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Arial's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arial scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Arial looking to sit in guard and control but Rodrigez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Arial wants to stand but Rodrigez is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigez postures up.
Rodrigez trying to control but Arial is working from the bottom.

Rodrigez gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Rodrigez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Rodrigez stuffs the takedown attempt from Arial. Arial gets slowly back to his feet.
Rodrigez is looking for a counter combo.
Arial lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Arial.
Arial wants to clinch up but Rodrigez keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Arial is defended easily by Rodrigez.
Emanuel Rodrigez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dex Arial.
Arial throws a nice looking combination but Rodrigez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rodrigez is looking for a counter combo.
Arial shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rodrigez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rodrigez.

Arial is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodrigez keeps control of Arial as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigez is trying to pull guard but Arial has him pressed against the cage.
Arial working aggressively here.
Rodrigez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Arial after a bit of a struggle.

Arial breaks from the clinch.
Arial shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rodrigez as he avoids it easily.
Arial tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rodrigez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rodrigez is looking for a counter combo.
Rodrigez slaps away a takedown attempt from Arial, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Arial is breathing heavily.
Arial lands with a hook. Rodrigez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arial misses with a double jab.
Arial tries to clinch but Rodrigez moves away

and Rodrigez decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Arial's guard.
Rodrigez trying to control but Arial is working from the bottom.
Arial is looking to stand up but Rodrigez isn't so interested in that idea.
Arial keeping full guard, as Rodrigez tries to pass.
Rodrigez wants to control from the top but Arial keeps moving.
Rodrigez throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dex Arial 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!

Arial misses with a few strikes there.
Rodrigez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Arial dives in and grabs Rodrigez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rodrigez pushes down on Arial's head and hops out.
Arial misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Arial drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rodrigez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Arial is aware though and is defending well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Arial accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rodrigez controls Arial momentarily but Arial frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arial in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Arial distracts Rodrigez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Rodrigez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Arial doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Arial manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Arial scoring with some ground and pound.
Arial loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Arial content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Arial throwing strikes but missing.
Arial trying to move into half guard but instead Rodrigez has managed to sweep!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arial keeping moving, preventing Rodrigez from controlling successfully.
Rodrigez wanted to stand there but Arial had control of the position.

Arial has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Rodrigez has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Arial controlling the action here for a moment.
Arial just leaning against Rodrigez, taking a breather.
Arial wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rodrigez has him pressed against the cage.

Arial manages to break the clinch.
Arial looks for a takedown but Rodrigez sprawls well.
Emanuel Rodrigez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dex Arial.
Arial takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Rodrigez scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Arial drives through with a takedown into guard.

Rodrigez wriggles free and stands up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Arial is defended easily by Rodrigez.
Rodrigez attempts a counter takedown but Arial avoids it well and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arial wants to clinch but Rodrigez slips to the side

and Rodrigez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rodrigez.
Rodrigez advances position into side control!

Rodrigez tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rodrigez has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Rodrigez goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Arial rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rodrigez's guard! Nice work there by Arial!

Rodrigez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Arial defends it easily.

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 Emanuel Rodrigez.
I think Rodrigez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emanuel Rodrigez!
Our winner, Emanuel Rodrigez, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.