PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sylvain Lievremont (ranked 1320 p4p, 146 weight class) and Pablo Rodriguez (ranked 1312 p4p, 144 weight class). Lievremont's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Stromae - Papaoutai. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lievremont
vs
Rodriguez

167 cm
29
156 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
150 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

UnderGround Supplements

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sylvain Lievremont!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pablo Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paulsen Ambrosius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez scores with a jab. Lievremont acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rodriguez misses with a series of wild punches.
Lievremont wants to clinch up but Rodriguez keeps it at a distance.
Rodriguez misses with an uppercut. Lievremont saw that one coming.
Lievremont has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Death Valley Training Facility in the buildup to the fight.

Lievremont moves into the clinch successfully.
Rodriguez lands a hook that snaps the head of Lievremont backwards.
Rodriguez manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Rodriguez slowing the pace effectively.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rodriguez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lievremont blocking some punches.
Rodriguez dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Rodriguez throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez is leaning against Lievremont and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rodriguez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rodriguez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rodriguez misses with a punch on the inside.
Rodriguez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lievremont blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lievremont blocks an uppercut.
Rodriguez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rodriguez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lievremont is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rodriguez to keep the fight standing.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lievremont darts in looking for a takedown but Rodriguez gets double underhooks and turns Lievremont into the cage.

Rodriguez gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Lievremont to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Lievremont pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodriguez is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lievremont stands and throws Rodriguez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodriguez tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Lievremont presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Lievremont trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rodriguez can't escape the position.
Lievremont trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodriguez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Lievremont trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lievremont is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rodriguez is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rodriguez is looking to improve his position but Lievremont isn't that keen on the idea.
Lievremont content just to control the position here.
Rodriguez can't escape the position.
Rodriguez felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Rodriguez tries to hold on but Lievremont pushes him away.
Lievremont is looking to work his way around to Rodriguez's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Rodriguez really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Lievremont sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Lievremont trying to control but Rodriguez is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lievremont controlling his opponent.
Rodriguez is looking to get to half guard.
Lievremont looking to control but Rodriguez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rodriguez sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Rodriguez is looking to control Lievremont's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rodriguez avoid being mounted?
Lievremont wants to control but Rodriguez is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodriguez moves into full guard.
Rodriguez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rodriguez looks to land a right hand but Lievremont moved out of range.
Pablo Rodriguez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lievremont throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rodriguez on the side of the head.

Lievremont bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rodriguez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rodriguez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Lievremont's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rodriguez trying to control from the bottom.
Lievremont with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Lievremont is trying to control the action in half guard but Rodriguez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez wants to control but Lievremont is keeping busy.
Rodriguez is staying active underneath Lievremont, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez is looking for a sweep. Lievremont is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Lievremont is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rodriguez is trying is best to control the position here.
Lievremont tries to pass to full mount but Rodriguez defends it.
Rodriguez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lievremont perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Rodriguez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lievremont pulls his head out easily.

Rodriguez looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Lievremont is working for a submission of some sort.

Rodriguez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lievremont pulls his head out easily.
Lievremont moves into full mount! Rodriguez won't be happy about that!
Rodriguez is trying desperately to improve position.
Rodriguez tries to lock up and control but Lievremont gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Lievremont controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Lievremont wants to control but Rodriguez is keeping him busy.
Sylvain Lievremont overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lievremont is controlling the pace.
Rodriguez trying to control from the bottom.

Rodriguez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rodriguez is looking for a sweep. Lievremont is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lievremont wants to control but Rodriguez is keeping him busy.

Rodriguez is defending against the submission attempts here by Lievremont.

Rodriguez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lievremont is keen to just control but Rodriguez is a slippery customer.

Rodriguez looking for submissions off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lievremont is looking to advance position but Rodriguez won't allow it.
Rodriguez tries to get to full guard but Lievremont has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sylvain Lievremont dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodriguez moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Lievremont fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rodriguez avoids it really well and circles away.
Lievremont connects with the punch.
Rodriguez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lievremont wants to clinch up but Rodriguez keeps it at a distance.
Lievremont fails to land the takedown.
Rodriguez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Rodriguez moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Lievremont on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rodriguez lands with a cross.
Lievremont looks for a takedown but Rodriguez sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sylvain Lievremont. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lievremont fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rodriguez raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Lievremont darts in looking for a takedown but Rodriguez gets double underhooks and turns Lievremont into the cage.
Pablo Rodriguez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rodriguez lands with a thumping leg kick.
A big right from Rodriguez misses.
Pablo Rodriguez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Lievremont rushes Rodriguez and presses him up against the cage.
Lievremont is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rodriguez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rodriguez throws a punch but it's blocked by Lievremont.
Rodriguez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rodriguez lands with a short shot to the head.
Still in the clinch, Rodriguez scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lievremont jumps guard but Rodriguez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lievremont.
A right hand to the body from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez can't find room to land a body shot as Lievremont controls the action.
A shot in the inside from Rodriguez.
Lievremont tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Lievremont fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rodriguez.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lievremont blocks a body shot from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Lievremont blocks an uppercut.
Rodriguez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice left hand lands by Rodriguez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lievremont jumps guard but Rodriguez stands there with Lievremont around his waist. Lievremont gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rodriguez has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Rodriguez misses with a hook from the clinch.

Lievremont ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Lievremont no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Rodriguez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lievremont swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lievremont looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodriguez is one step ahead there.
Rodriguez wants to pass the guard but Lievremont is keeping the position.
Lievremont wants to sweep here but Rodriguez controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez pushes down on Lievremont's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lievremont is looking to control Rodriguez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lievremont avoid being mounted?
Lievremont tries to roll over but Rodriguez keeps him under control.
Rodriguez trying to pass the guard but Lievremont defending well.
Lievremont regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lievremont is trying to control the position but Rodriguez postures up.
Lievremont has control of Rodriguez's left arm, preventing Rodriguez from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Rodriguez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rodriguez 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

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