PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hipolito Rhodes (ranked 6242 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Taite (ranked 6230 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rhodes
vs
Taite

151 cm
19
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
20
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hipolito Rhodes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thomas Taite!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rhodes looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Taite blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rhodes.
Rhodes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Taite defending well though.
Taite wants to control but Rhodes is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Taite keeping control of the position.
Rhodes really is a fat lump.
Taite is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taite is still trying to improve position.
Rhodes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taite punching from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taite gets full guard.
Taite trying to control the position here.
Rhodes postures up in Taite's guard and throws a big left but Taite blocks it.
Taite is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rhodes missing with punches from the bottom.
Rhodes tries to get to full guard but Taite has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taite passes the guard and advances to mount!
Rhodes really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...
Taite looking to finish Rhodes with some ground and pound. This is bad for Rhodes!
Taite breaks from Rhodes's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Taite tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Let's hope that Taite has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Taite lands with some strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes can't escape the position.
Taite scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Rhodes?

Taite has isolated one of Rhodes's arms. Rhodes looking to fight him off but Taite twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Thomas Taite!