PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Escobar (ranked 24125 p4p, 214 weight class) and Travis Rodgers (ranked 24127 p4p, 56 weight class). Travis Rodgers has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Escobar
vs
Rodgers

200 cm
26
265 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

184 cm
21
231 lbs
1 - 8 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pablo Escobar !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Travis Rodgers !
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobar slaps away a takedown attempt from Rodgers , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rodgers should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Escobar scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Escobar looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Escobar scoring with punches from side control.

It looks like Travis Rodgers has been cut.
Escobar landing a few strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodgers is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Escobar stands up and beckons Rodgers to his feet.
Rodgers tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Escobar defends well and Rodgers ends up having to push Escobar into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Escobar lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rodgers circles away quickly and effectively.

Rodgers fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Escobar to the ground. Rodgers is now in Escobar 's guard.

Escobar looking for a guillotine here but Rodgers defends easily.
Rodgers pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Escobar is keeping the position for now.
Escobar is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar wants to get back to his feet but Rodgers passes into half guard.
Escobar is looking to improve his position.
Escobar is not content to let Rodgers control the position.
Escobar is trying to control but can't.
Escobar tries to roll over but Rodgers keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Escobar is trying to control but Rodgers passes into side control!
Escobar keeping his opponent close.
Escobar struggling a bit here.
Escobar is not content to let Rodgers control the position.
Escobar is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
You can see the frustration on Escobar 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rodgers trying to control the position but Escobar is working away.

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

Rodgers gets caught napping as Escobar dives in and scores a takedown. Rodgers manages to retain guard.
Rodgers is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Escobar showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Escobar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rodgers swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Escobar dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Travis Rodgers 's cut.
That's time! Escobar 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice takedown defense from Escobar . No joy for Rodgers on that attempt.
It looked like Escobar was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rodgers enables Escobar to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rodgers manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Escobar is standing up over Rodgers . Rodgers looks to escape but Escobar dives into side control.

Escobar laying and praying for a moment but Rodgers takes advantage and regains half guard.

Escobar is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rodgers has managed to free his arm - good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rodgers does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Rodgers 's thigh. Rodgers counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Escobar has gone for a leg lock! Rodgers slips out almost immediately though and dives into Escobar 's guard.

The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rodgers is looking to stand up but Escobar won't let him.
Escobar trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's two 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.
Escobar wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rodgers trying to control the position from guard on top but Escobar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Escobar pulls Rodgers in close to prevent any damage.
Rodgers trying to control but Escobar is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Escobar on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Escobar tries to get out of the position.

Escobar looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rodgers passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rodgers is working away from the top position though.
Rodgers is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are battling for position here. Escobar manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rodgers postures up.
Rodgers throwing strikes but missing.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rodgers gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Escobar counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Escobar .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Escobar turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Escobar manages to end up in side control.
Escobar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rodgers keeps working.
Rodgers is trying to buck Escobar off.
Rodgers is looking for a sweep.
Escobar working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Escobar wants to control but Rodgers is keeping him busy.
Escobar controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pablo Escobar will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Travis Rodgers 's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rodgers takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Escobar clinches.
Escobar has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rodgers avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rodgers drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Escobar misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Escobar successfully pulls guard.
Escobar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar wants to stand up but Rodgers is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar looking for a sweep. Not yet Escobar , not yet.
Pablo Escobar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rodgers pushing down on Escobar 's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Escobar is looking for a sweep. Rodgers is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Escobar wants to get back to full guard but Rodgers has passed into side control.
Escobar is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rodgers advances to full mount.
Rodgers controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Escobar is looking to improve his position but Rodgers isn't that keen on the idea.
Escobar wants to control but Rodgers is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers looking to control but Escobar is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Escobar is trying desperately to improve position.
Rodgers manages to capitalize on a mistake by Escobar to take his back!
Rodgers misses with punches from the back.
Escobar can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Escobar tries to roll but Rodgers sticks to his back.

Rodgers looking for the RNC.
Rodgers lands a shot to the body.
Escobar tries to roll but Rodgers sticks to his back.
Escobar prevents Rodgers from getting a body triangle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodgers has the hooks in. Escobar is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Travis Rodgers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pablo Escobar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodgers gets his hands free as Escobar looks to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Travis Rodgers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Escobar has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pablo Escobar !