PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Hodges (ranked 7560 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tristan Degas (ranked 4037 p4p, 0 weight class). Tristan Degas has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hodges
vs
Degas

176 cm
24
178 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aaron Hodges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tristan Degas!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Degas misses with a combination

and Hodges counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hodges.
Hodges postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Degas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Degas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hodges is in close to Degas's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Degas can do anything to dispel that myth.
Degas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Degas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Degas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Degas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Degas throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Degas 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.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Degas is trying to control the position but Hodges postures up.

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

Degas looking to score a takedown here. Hodges is defending well but Degas drives through and ends up in Hodges's guard.

Hodges kicks Degas off and gets to his feet.
Degas fails in his attempt to clinch.

Hodges shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hodges was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hodges looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Degas trying his best to control but Hodges has mounted him.
Degas is trying to escape the mount.
Hodges dominating with strikes here.
Hodges has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hodges dominating with strikes here.
Degas is trying to escape the mount.
Degas in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hodges prevents Degas from getting the reversal.
Hodges working Degas over with strikes here.
Degas wants to control but Hodges is having none of it.
The referee warns Degas that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Degas's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Degas wants to hold on but Hodges pushes him away.
Degas reaches up and holds on to Hodges to control the position.
Degas tries to lock up and control but Hodges gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Degas working to try and regain half guard.
Degas sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Hodges is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Degas has managed to free his arm - good work.
Degas is trying to maintain the position but Hodges is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Hodges dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Degas closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hodges did well to prevent Degas getting side control.
Degas lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Degas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hodges. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Degas slows the pace down in half guard.
Hodges is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Degas can do to turn this around?

Degas is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hodges looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hodges wants to control but Degas is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Degas prevents Hodges from standing back up.
Degas controlling the pace.
Degas is thwarting Hodges's attempts to control the position.
Degas is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Hodges won't allow Degas to pass to mount.

That's two 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.
Hodges slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hodges wants to sweep but no luck.
Degas lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hodges tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Degas is looking to stand up but Hodges won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Degas closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hodges did well to prevent Degas getting side control.
Degas prevents Hodges from improving his position.
Hodges makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hodges.

Hodges looking for a guillotine here but Degas defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Degas trying to control the position from guard on top but Hodges is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hodges 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.
Degas trying to control the position from guard on top but Hodges is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hodges is looking for a triangle here but Degas uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

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.

Degas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hodges is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
You can see the frustration on Hodges's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hodges is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Degas asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Degas decides to take the fight back to the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tristan Degas 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. This is the final round!

Degas leaves Hodges with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Degas gets a double leg takedown into Hodges's guard.
Degas is working Hodges over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Degas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hodges has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Degas has managed to get both his arms back between Hodges's legs - danger averted.
Degas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hodges escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Degas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Degas wanted to stand there but Hodges had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges keeping full guard, as Degas tries to pass.

Hodges escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Degas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hodges is trying to keep Degas in close.
Degas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hodges swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Degas trying to control the position from guard on top but Hodges is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two 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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Degas drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Degas preventing the sweep.
Degas sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Hodges has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Degas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Degas makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Degas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Degas connects with a couple of short punches.

Hodges escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Degas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Hodges working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Degas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Degas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Aaron Hodges overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Degas forces his way into half guard.
Degas lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Degas is trying to control the action in half guard but Hodges is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Hodges is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Degas pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tristan Degas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Degas 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tristan Degas!