PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Padraig Pearse (ranked 25123 p4p, 689 weight class) and Paulo Rodrigues (ranked 25167 p4p, 677 weight class). Padraig Pearse has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Pearse
vs
Rodrigues

200 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

177 cm
18
176 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Juggernaut And Gladiators(90% Laundry)

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Padraig Pearse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Rodrigues!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pearse tries to clinch but Rodrigues moves out of range.
Pearse moves in looking to clinch but Rodrigues pushes him off.
Pearse walks into a straight right hand from Rodrigues.
Pearse shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rodrigues pinned against the cage. Rodrigues gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rodrigues keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pearse definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Pearse moves in looking to clinch but Rodrigues pushes him off.
Pearse is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pearse chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Pearse tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pearse connects with a high kick.

It looks like Paulo Rodrigues has been cut.

Pearse rushes Rodrigues and presses him up against the cage.

Pearse pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pearse tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Oh, that's a big right hand from Rodrigues and Pearse goes tumbling to the canvas! Rodrigues follows him to the ground and looks to finish from half guard.

Pearse is rocked!

It looks like Padraig Pearse has been cut.
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!
Rodrigues stops Pearse from getting back to his feet.
Oh Pearse is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rodrigues throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Pearse to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearse is trying to keep Rodrigues in close.
Pearse seems to have got his legs back now.
Rodrigues lands a couple of elbows.
Rodrigues throwing strikes from guard but Pearse blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodrigues accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pearse being controlled here, momentarily.
Rodrigues must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rodrigues's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rodrigues postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pearse utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pearse is trying to keep Rodrigues in close.
Rodrigues postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rodrigues throwing strikes but missing.
Pearse wants to stand and escape but Rodrigues is having none of it.
Rodrigues scoring with some ground and pound.
Pearse keeping moving, preventing Rodrigues from controlling successfully.
Rodrigues throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pearse works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rodrigues wants to control from the top but Pearse keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodrigues accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodrigues accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Rodrigues got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pearse has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rodrigues has managed to get both his arms back between Pearse's legs - danger averted.
Rodrigues loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rodrigues lands a couple of digs.
Pearse really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rodrigues loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pearse preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rodrigues stopping the sweep attempt from Pearse.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodrigues accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pearse will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rodrigues working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pearse is trying to control the position but Rodrigues postures up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rodrigues trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pearse trying to keep a closed guard but Rodrigues is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pearse avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Rodrigues has Pearse up against the cage in a clinch.

Rodrigues breaks the clinch.

Rodrigues drives through and clinches with Pearse against the cage.

Rodrigues's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rodrigues looks to land a combination but Pearse avoids it well.

Rodrigues instigates a clinch.

Pearse manages to break the clinch.
Pearse displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rodrigues.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Pearse moves to clinch but Rodrigues breaks away

and Rodrigues counters with a combination of strikes to the head and body that crumple Pearse!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodrigues thows a huge punch but Pearse dodges it nicely.
Rodrigues working over Pearse with some ground and pound. Pearse looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rodrigues not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Rodrigues dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rodrigues misses with a jab, cross combination.

Rodrigues waves his right hand out in front of him, looking to distract Pearse. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Pearse to the canvas! Can he finish him!?
Rodrigues trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pearse looking to control.
We've been informed that Rodrigues has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Pearse wants to stand but Rodrigues is controlling the position.
Rodrigues has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rodrigues postures up.
Rodrigues throws a big elbow that misses.
Rodrigues is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Rodrigues stands up and waves to Pearse to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearse is looking to slow Rodrigues down with leg kicks.
Pearse tries to clinch there but Rodrigues circles away.
Rodrigues lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pearse circles away quickly and effectively.
A good leg kick by Pearse.

Rodrigues bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Pearse can't do much from the bottom here.
Rodrigues working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Pearse struggling a bit here.
Pearse is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pearse is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rodrigues asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Rodrigues stands up.
Padraig Pearse is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pearse tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rodrigues manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pearse tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodrigues swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pearse doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodrigues circles away.

Pearse gets caught napping as Rodrigues dives in and scores a takedown. Pearse manages to retain guard.

Pearse has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Rodrigues off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pearse doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodrigues circles away.
Pearse tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodrigues swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rodrigues fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pearse looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Pearse tries to clinch up but Rodrigues circles away and keeps his distance.
Rodrigues tries to score with a low kick but Pearse moves his leg out of the way.
Sloppy strikes from Rodrigues. Those never looked like landing.
Rodrigues avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Rodrigues closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Pearse can't do much from the bottom here.

Rodrigues is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pearse has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pearse is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rodrigues is controlling him well.
Paulo Rodrigues has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rodrigues misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Pearse's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pearse is looking for a sweep.
Rodrigues in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Rodrigues lands a few punches from side control.
Rodrigues cracks Pearse with a big elbow.
Rodrigues working the strikes but Pearse uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

Rodrigues stands up and beckons Pearse to join him on the feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rodrigues has Pearse up against the cage in a clinch.
Pearse tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Rodrigues showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Pearse gets a clinch.
Pearse misses with a knee to the head.
Pearse missing with knees to the body.
Pearse keeps control of Rodrigues as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pearse with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pearse is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Pearse breaks from the clinch.
Rodrigues will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pearse wants to clinch up but Rodrigues keeps it at a distance.
Rodrigues shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodrigues shoots for a double leg takedown but Pearse sprawls well. He's pushed Rodrigues's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pearse is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pearse tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodrigues swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pearse shoots in looking for a takedown. Rodrigues tries to sprawl out of it but Pearse keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rodrigues manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearse tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rodrigues paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pearse moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rodrigues throws a right and a left that Pearse avoids nicely.
Pearse is looking to clinch but Rodrigues is avoiding it.
Despite the aggression on Rodrigues's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Pearse gets tackled into the cage by Rodrigues. Rodrigues maintains the clinch.

Rodrigues manages to break the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Rodrigues as Pearse shoots in.
Good leg kick by Pearse there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rodrigues throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pearse.
Pearse tries to clinch there but Rodrigues circles away.

Rodrigues shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodrigues prevents Pearse from getting back to his feet.
Rodrigues working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Pearse is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rodrigues pushes Pearse off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Pearse pushes Rodrigues up against the cage in a clinch.
Pearse prevents Rodrigues from breaking the clinch.
Pearse tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rodrigues lands a nice knee to the body.
Rodrigues wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rodrigues with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rodrigues is trying to break free.

Pearse manages to break the clinch.

Rodrigues drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rodrigues in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rodrigues trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues postures up in Pearse's guard and throws a big left but Pearse blocks it.
Rodrigues is in close to Pearse's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Pearse preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rodrigues content to stall in guard here.
Pearse wants to stand but Rodrigues is controlling the position.
Rodrigues trying to control but Pearse is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Pearse looking for a sweep. Not yet Pearse, not yet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pearse, right into the meat.
Rodrigues avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rodrigues shoots in and drives through. Pearse sprawls well.
Padraig Pearse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paulo Rodrigues.
Pearse tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodrigues swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rodrigues circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pearse dodges the punch combination from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues clobbers Pearse with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Pearse will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rodrigues is looking for the big counter here.
Danga de danga de dang - Rodrigues scores with a four punch combination!
Pearse shoots for a double leg takedown but Rodrigues sprawls well. He's pushed Pearse's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Rodrigues forces Pearse back against the cage and clinches.
Rodrigues wants to break free but Pearse has control.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rodrigues takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Padraig Pearse has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paulo Rodrigues is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rodrigues tries to break free but Pearse pushes him back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paulo Rodrigues comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rodrigues 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulo Rodrigues!