PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rodney Gibson (ranked 5656 p4p, 507 weight class) and Julio Rodrigo (ranked 3820 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.

Gibson
vs
Rodrigo

200 cm
25
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
25
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 Rio de Janeiro, Rodney Gibson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Julio Rodrigo!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Luis Engracia and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gibson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rodrigo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gibson circles away quickly and effectively.
Rodney Gibson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodrigo throws a shot to the body.
Gibson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Gibson rushes Rodrigo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rodrigo wants to get back to striking at distance but Gibson won't allow it.
Rodrigo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gibson has him pressed against the cage.
Gibson tries a knee to the head but Rodrigo blocks it.
Gibson stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gibson.
Gibson lands an elbow that stopped Rodrigo in his tracks for a moment.
Rodrigo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rodrigo is trying to break free.
Gibson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rodrigo's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo has had enough of the clinch but Gibson keeps him there for the moment.
Gibson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gibson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gibson.
Gibson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gibson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Rodrigo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gibson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rodrigo.
A knee to the head by Gibson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gibson wants a takedown.
Rodrigo avoids a wild elbow strike from Gibson.

Gibson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gibson throws a shot from downtown. Rodrigo moves away and avoids it.
Gibson misses with a head kick.

Gibson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rodrigo, pushing him back against the cage.
Rodrigo tries to break free but Gibson pushes him back against the cage.
Rodrigo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gibson keeps control of Rodrigo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rodrigo tries to circle away but Gibson has him pinned against the cage.
Rodrigo wants to break free but Gibson has control.
Rodrigo tries to break the clinch but Gibson is controlling the position.
A frustrated look appears on Rodrigo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gibson has Rodrigo pressed against the cage, preventing Rodrigo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Rodrigo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rodrigo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rodrigo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rodrigo takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gibson keeps control of Rodrigo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gibson prevents Rodrigo from breaking the clinch.
Rodrigo wants to break free but Gibson has control.
Gibson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gibson lands an elbow inside that Rodrigo shrugs off.
Rodrigo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gibson has Rodrigo pressed against the cage, preventing Rodrigo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Rodrigo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rodrigo dodges an elbow strike from Gibson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Rodrigo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gibson.
Gibson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gibson tries to land a knee to the head but Rodrigo blocks with his arms.
Gibson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gibson misses with a knee strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gibson throws an elbow but misses.
Rodrigo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rodrigo tries to break free but Gibson pushes him back against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gibson looking to throw knees to the head but Rodrigo is blocking nicely.
Rodrigo wants to break free but Gibson has control.
Gibson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gibson scores with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Gibson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gibson moves into the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Rodrigo is trying to break the clinch but Gibson is controlling him.
Gibson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rodrigo avoids a wild elbow strike from Gibson.
Gibson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gibson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gibson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Rodrigo is trying to break the clinch but Gibson has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodrigo is trying to break the clinch but Gibson is controlling him.
Gibson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gibson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gibson with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo wants to break free but Gibson has control.
Rodrigo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rodrigo is trying to break the clinch but Gibson is controlling him.
Gibson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Gibson is pushing Rodrigo up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Rodrigo tries to break the clinch but Gibson is controlling the position.
Rodrigo is looking to break free of the clinch but Gibson has double underhooks.
Gibson is struggling to control the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gibson prevents Rodrigo from breaking the clinch.

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.
Gibson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodrigo avoids it.
Rodney Gibson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gibson lands a left hand.
Gibson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rodrigo's efforts to push away.
Gibson tries for a takedown but Rodrigo manages to get underhooks.
Gibson trying to land knees to the body.
Gibson misses with an elbow strike.
Rodrigo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rodrigo dodges an elbow strike from Gibson.
Rodrigo has had enough of the clinch but Gibson keeps him there for the moment.
Gibson is struggling to control the position.
Rodrigo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gibson has him pressed against the cage.
Gibson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rodrigo can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rodrigo tries to break free but Gibson pushes him back against the cage.
Gibson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gibson throws an elbow but it misses.
Gibson misses with a knee to the head.
Rodrigo takes an elbow to the forehead.
Gibson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rodrigo working hard to break the clinch.
Rodrigo is trying to break the clinch but Gibson is controlling him.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gibson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rodrigo's brow.
A short left from Gibson.
Gibson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Rodrigo is looking to break free of the clinch but Gibson has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Gibson.
Rodrigo blocks a body shot from Gibson.
Still in the clinch, Gibson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Gibson tries to land a knee to the head but Rodrigo blocks with his arms.
Rodrigo can't break the clinch.
Gibson lands an elbow inside that Rodrigo shrugs off.
Gibson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rodrigo blocks it with crossed arms.
Rodrigo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gibson misses with a knee strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodrigo tries to break the clinch but Gibson is controlling the position.
Gibson misses with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodrigo tries to circle away but Gibson has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Gibson dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gibson thows a body kick. Rodrigo tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Gibson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gibson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodrigo takes a kick to the side of the head.
Rodrigo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gibson at a distance.
Rodrigo misses with a body kick.
Rodrigo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gibson.
Gibson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Gibson pushes Rodrigo up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gibson lands an uppercut.
Rodrigo is trying to push Gibson away but Gibson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gibson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gibson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo can't break the clinch.
Rodrigo is trying to push Gibson away but Gibson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rodrigo tries to break free but Gibson pushes him back against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Gibson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rodrigo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gibson has him pressed against the cage.
Gibson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rodrigo backwards.
Gibson digs a right hand underneath Rodrigo's ribcage. Rodrigo let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rodrigo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rodrigo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rodrigo avoiding damage as Gibson throws knees to the body.
The referee calls for Gibson to work.
Gibson lands a good knee to the midsection. Rodrigo won't want to take too many of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo is trying to break the clinch but Gibson is controlling him.
Rodrigo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rodrigo can't break the clinch.
Gibson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gibson has Rodrigo pressed against the cage, preventing Rodrigo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Gibson landing knees to the head.
Gibson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rodrigo backwards.
Gibson stalling against the cage.
Gibson missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gibson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gibson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rodrigo is trying to break the clinch but Gibson has him pressed against the cage.
Rodrigo gets underhooks to prevent Gibson's takedown attempt.
Rodrigo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A frustrated look appears on Rodrigo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gibson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rodrigo blocks it with crossed arms.
Rodrigo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rodrigo working hard to break the clinch.
Gibson prevents Rodrigo from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Gibson.
Gibson has Rodrigo pressed against the cage, preventing Rodrigo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gibson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rodrigo tries to break free but Gibson pushes him back against the cage.
Gibson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rodrigo blocks it with crossed arms.
Rodrigo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rodrigo tries to break free but Gibson pushes him back against the cage.
Rodrigo avoids a wild elbow strike from Gibson.
Gibson digs a right hand into Rodrigo's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rodrigo's gas tank.
Gibson tries to land a knee to the head but Rodrigo blocks with his arms.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gibson lands an uppercut.
Rodrigo is trying to push Gibson away but Gibson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Julio Rodrigo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodney Gibson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gibson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rodrigo blocks it with crossed arms.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodney Gibson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gibson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:26
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodney Gibson!