PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shelby Foote (ranked 3819 p4p, 0 weight class) and Corey Rodriguez (ranked 4097 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Corey Rodriguez was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Foote
vs
Rodriguez

167 cm
28
150 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

185 cm
26
155 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Organic Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shelby Foote!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Corey Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Foote throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Foote throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A decent looking cross lands there for Foote.
Rodriguez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rodriguez on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've been told by Foote's head coaches at DRAGON MMA - 12 Elite & 2 Double Elite Coaches that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Foote jabs Rodriguez right on the nose. Rodriguez blinks but takes it well.
Foote lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Rodriguez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Foote.
Rodriguez staying out of range there.
Rodriguez is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A punch lands to the side of Rodriguez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sloppy strikes from Rodriguez. Those never looked like landing.
Nice uppercut there from Foote.
Foote lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rodriguez at a distance.
Good standup being displayed there by Foote as he connects with a hook.
Rodriguez on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A chopping leg kick lands by Foote.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Foote.
Foote misses with a double jab.
Foote avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Foote.
Foote throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rodriguez on the side of the head.
Rodriguez is looking to score with low kicks.
A jab lands there for Foote.
Shelby Foote is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Foote scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Foote displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rodriguez fails with the takedown.
A jab lands there for Foote.
Foote throws a leg kick which misses Rodriguez's front leg but catches the back leg as Rodriguez tries to avoid it.
Foote scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Foote avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Foote misses the target.
Foote thuds a left hand into Rodriguez's body.
Rodriguez is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Foote.
Rodriguez goes for a double leg but Foote avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Foote continues to drive forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foote scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rodriguez takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Shelby Foote seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodriguez throws a front kick aimed at Foote's knee but Foote avoids it well.
Foote with a nice cross.
Foote pushes Rodriguez away with a front kick.
Foote lands with a cross.
Rodriguez takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Foote connects with a right hand. Rodriguez shakes it off.
Foote misses with a wild combination.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up but Foote circles away and keeps his distance.
Foote avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Foote lands a really nice looking cross but Rodriguez seems unphased.
Foote connects with the punch.
Foote pushes Rodriguez away with a front kick.
Foote connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Foote throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but Foote sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shelby Foote has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Corey Rodriguez.
Foote thuds his right hand into Rodriguez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rodriguez throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rodriguez dodges the punch combination from Foote.
Foote scores with a three punch combo!
Rodriguez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Foote slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Foote tests Rodriguez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rodriguez's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Foote connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Rodriguez scrambles back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Foote lands a leg kick that knocks Rodriguez off balance momentarily.
Good shot there by Foote.
A shot to the liver by Foote. Beautiful body shot.
Foote is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rodriguez ducks right into an uppercut from Foote.
Rodriguez takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Foote connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Foote bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rodriguez's head backwards.
Nice uppercut there from Foote.
Rodriguez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Foote can pounce on him.
Foote fakes the leg kick and cracks Rodriguez in the body.
Foote throws a right hand that Rodriguez ducks under and follows up with a left that Rodriguez also avoids with ease.
Rodriguez tries to clinch but Foote moves out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Foote!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Foote throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Foote lands with a straight right. Rodriguez didn't see that one coming.
Rodriguez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Foote throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shelby Foote 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.

Foote lands with a right hand.
Foote throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Foote scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Foote lands a jab.
Foote stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Foote is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Foote stuffs the takedown.
Foote lands a jab to the nose.
Rodriguez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Foote pinned against the cage. Foote gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rodriguez gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Foote darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foote stuffs the takedown.
Shelby Foote has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Corey Rodriguez.
Rodriguez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Foote tries to avoid it but Rodriguez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Foote to the ground. Foote escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Foote lands with an uppercut that bounces Rodriguez off the cage and back into range.
Rodriguez looks for a takedown but Foote sprawls well.
Foote throws a leg kick which misses Rodriguez's front leg but catches the back leg as Rodriguez tries to avoid it.
Foote lands a jab to the nose.
Corey Rodriguez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodriguez takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Foote lands a jab to Rodriguez's midsection.
Foote thuds his right hand into Rodriguez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Foote ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Foote scores with a head kick. Rodriguez tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
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!
Nice straight punches there by Foote. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Foote.
Foote lands with a cross.
Rodriguez dives in for a single leg takedown but Foote sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Foote explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Rodriguez has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Foote.
Shelby Foote is winning the standup battle so far.
Foote lands with a slapping head kick.
Foote cracks Rodriguez with a right hand to the side of the head.
Foote lands with a thumping leg kick.
Foote lands with a hook. Rodriguez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A left and a right from Foote both land. Nice combination.
Rodriguez looks to land a body kick but Foote moved away.
Foote throws a one two combo.
Rodriguez ducks right into an uppercut from Foote.
A chopping leg kick lands by Foote.
Foote buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rodriguez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Foote.
Foote lands a nice looking body shot.
Foote scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nice uppercut lands for Rodriguez. That snapped Foote's head back.
Foote misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foote tests Rodriguez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Foote swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rodriguez.
Foote scores with a jab to the body.
Rodriguez is trying desperately to land a takedown but Foote is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Rodriguez.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Foote.
Foote looks to land a combination but Rodriguez avoids it well.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Foote is looking for a counter combo.
Rodriguez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Foote cracks Rodriguez with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Foote!
Foote lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodriguez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Foote's waist but Foote gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rodriguez off to one side.
Foote moves into range and connects with a jab.
Foote dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rodriguez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nice shot by Foote.
Foote connects with a solid leg kick.
Foote connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Foote keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
That kick from Foote tenderised Rodriguez's leg. Rodriguez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Foote throws a right and a left that Rodriguez avoids nicely.
Rodriguez has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Foote.
Foote lands an overhand right.
Rodriguez on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Foote connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rodriguez's hands.
Foote lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Foote stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rodriguez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Foote sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rodriguez somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shelby Foote dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Foote moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Foote throws a nice inside leg kick.
Foote displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rodriguez throws out the jab.
Foote throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rodriguez.
Foote lands a nice shot that snaps Rodriguez's head back.
A head kick misses from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez walks forward, straight into a front kick from Foote.
Foote catches Rodriguez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rodriguez gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Foote connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rodriguez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Foote.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodriguez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Foote defends well and Rodriguez ends up having to push Foote into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Foote misses with a head kick.
Rodriguez lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Foote. Rodriguez shrugs it off though.
Jab, jab by Foote - just one landing.
Foote scores with a head kick. Rodriguez tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Foote lands with a hook. Rodriguez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A left lands for Foote.
Foote misses with a series of wild punches.
Rodriguez is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown but Foote manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rodriguez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Foote feints and then cracks Rodriguez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rodriguez down.
Rodriguez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Foote comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
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!
Rodriguez swings away with a body shot that misses
and Foote counters with a three punch combo that has Rodriguez backing up. Rodriguez nods at Foote to acknowledge the strikes.
Rodriguez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Foote cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shelby Foote has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Corey Rodriguez.
Rodriguez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foote moves into range and connects with a jab.
Foote connects with a looping right hand.
Foote connects with an inside leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Rodriguez crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Foote - the referee stops the clock and Rodriguez gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Foote. Rodriguez manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Foote stuns Rodriguez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt.
Foote lands a nice shot to the body.
Foote cracks Rodriguez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Foote scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Rodriguez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rodriguez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to clinch up but Foote keeps it at a distance.
Foote comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Foote chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Foote lands with an overhand left.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Foote.
Foote lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rodriguez's sensitive parts.
Rodriguez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Foote.
Foote swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A lazy left from Foote finds it's target.
Rodriguez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Foote lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Foote.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodriguez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Foote wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Foote scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Foote with a nice cross.
Foote misses with a jab, cross combination.
Foote cracks Rodriguez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Foote connects with a jab.
Foote lands with a right hand.
Foote throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rodriguez on the side of the head.
Foote lands a right hook to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Foote.
Foote scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Foote jabs Rodriguez to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodriguez is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rodriguez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Foote throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Corey Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Foote throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rodriguez.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shelby Foote showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Foote 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:24
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:24
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shelby Foote!
Shelby Foote made sure to mention his sponsor, Organic Nutrition in his post fight interview.