PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Rodolfo (ranked 3839 p4p, 343 weight class) and Spike Grapple (ranked 23697 p4p, 523 weight class). Miguel Rodolfo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rodolfo
vs
Grapple

188 cm
21
280 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

191 cm
21
279 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Miguel Rodolfo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Spike Grapple!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Yves DeLean and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodolfo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Grapple fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grapple looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Grapple tries to clinch but Rodolfo moves out of range.
Rodolfo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Grapple backs up against the cage.
Rodolfo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Grapple circles away quickly and effectively.

Rodolfo gets tackled into the cage by Grapple. Grapple maintains the clinch.

Grapple's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Grapple fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rodolfo, pushing him back against the cage.
Grapple misses with a punch on the inside.
Grapple prevents a takedown attempt there.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Grapple.
Rodolfo lands with a left to the head.
We've been informed that Grapple has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grapple holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Grapple manages to break the clinch.

Grapple closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Rodolfo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Grapple uses from the top position.
Grapple missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Grapple is fighting to break Rodolfo's control of his arms but Rodolfo is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Grapple missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Grapple being controlled here momentarily.
Rodolfo looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodolfo, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodolfo is looking to stand up but Grapple isn't so interested in that idea.
Grapple postures up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rodolfo controlling Grapple's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rodolfo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Rodolfo gets tackled into the cage by Grapple. Grapple maintains the clinch.
A hook to the body from Grapple.
Rodolfo tries to throw a body punch but Grapple avoids it by throwing Rodolfo back against the cage.
Rodolfo tries to pull guard but Grapple forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Grapple stops a takedown attempt from Rodolfo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Rodolfo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grapple prevents Rodolfo from breaking the clinch.
Grapple gets underhooks to prevent Rodolfo's takedown attempt.

Grapple escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodolfo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rodolfo is breathing heavily.

Rodolfo tries to keep at a distance but Grapple has taken the fight into the clinch.

Grapple's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Grapple has Rodolfo up against the cage in a clinch.
Rodolfo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Grapple lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Grapple breaks from the clinch.

Grapple moves into range and clinches up with Rodolfo.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Grapple effectively controlling the action here.
Grapple taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The referee calls for Rodolfo to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Grapple pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rodolfo lands a nice shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rodolfo.

Grapple takes the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rodolfo gets control of Grapple's arms and successfully pulls guard. Rodolfo will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Grapple must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rodolfo looking to control.
Rodolfo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rodolfo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Grapple's guard.

Grapple looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Grapple really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rodolfo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Grapple bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rodolfo's guard.

Rodolfo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Grapple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spike Grapple dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rodolfo is defended easily by Grapple.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Grapple pushes Rodolfo up against the cage in a clinch.
Grapple gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rodolfo.

Grapple pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Grapple closes the distance and pushes Rodolfo back into the cage.
Rodolfo is stalling here.
Rodolfo is looking to break free of the clinch but Grapple has double underhooks.
Grapple lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodolfo tries to stall but Grapple uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Rodolfo is trying to force a seperation but Grapple has the dominant position.
Rodolfo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Grapple just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Rodolfo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Grapple breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rodolfo throws a leg kick but Grapple moved away.

Grapple gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Grapple struggles to land a body shot inside as Rodolfo controls his hands.

Rodolfo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Grapple has closed the distance and engaged Rodolfo in a clinch.
Grapple avoiding damage.

Grapple pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice shot by Grapple.

It looks like Miguel Rodolfo has been cut.
Rodolfo seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

Grapple has managed to clinch.
Rodolfo tries to score a body lock takedown but Grapple shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodolfo being controlled against the cage.

Grapple's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rodolfo fails in his attempt to clinch.

Rodolfo shoots in and bounces Grapple off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grapple looking to control.
Grapple looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rodolfo trying to control but Grapple is working from the bottom.
Grapple looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grapple looking to control.
Rodolfo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Grapple is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodolfo working some strikes from top position.
Rodolfo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Grapple trying to keep a closed guard but Rodolfo is proving a slippery customer.
Rodolfo advances position into side control!

Rodolfo decides to stand up, so the ref orders Grapple to his feet.
Rodolfo throws a leg kick but Grapple moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodolfo circles away from the clinch attempt.

Rodolfo moves into range and clinches up with Grapple.

Grapple breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Grapple fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rodolfo manages to avoid it.
Rodolfo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rodolfo misses with a takedown
and Grapple counters with a nice uppercut.
Rodolfo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Grapple is fending him off so far but Rodolfo persists. Nope, Grapple circles away and we're back to standing.
Rodolfo doesn't manage to clinch there - Grapple circles away.
Rodolfo tries to clinch but Grapple is having none of it.
Spike Grapple seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodolfo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Spike Grapple is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No luck for Rodolfo with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
Grapple slips a jab and a cross from Rodolfo.
Grapple throws a counter combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spike Grapple showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Miguel Rodolfo's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rodolfo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Grapple.
Rodolfo throws a quick counter head kick but Grapple was just out of range.

Rodolfo clinches.
Rodolfo has Grapple pushed against the cage.

Rodolfo manages to break the clinch.
Miguel Rodolfo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Grapple closes the distance and clinches.

Grapple breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Grapple doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodolfo circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodolfo wants to clinch but Grapple slips to the side
and Grapple counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rodolfo or perhaps it was just good defense by Grapple, which made it look bad.
Rodolfo shoots in but no luck this time.
Grapple is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Rodolfo with a body shot.

Grapple drives through and clinches with Rodolfo against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Grapple.

Grapple's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Grapple moves into the clinch successfully.
A short uppercut from Grapple.
Grapple lands with a light punch inside.
Rodolfo tries to break free but Grapple pushes him back against the cage.
Rodolfo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Rodolfo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grapple keeps control of Rodolfo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A short right from Grapple on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Grapple.
Rodolfo tries to pull guard but Grapple won't allow it.
Grapple struggles to land a body shot inside as Rodolfo controls his hands.
Rodolfo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Grapple lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grapple scores with a hook to the body.
Grapple stalling against the cage.
Grapple lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Grapple manages to break the clinch.
Rodolfo has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Grapple closes the distance and clinches.
Grapple misses with some punches.
Grapple lands a hook that snaps the head of Rodolfo backwards.
Rodolfo has had enough of the clinch but Grapple keeps him there for the moment.

Grapple escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Grapple moves into range and clinches up with Rodolfo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodolfo is trying to push Grapple away but Grapple has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rodolfo fails to pull guard.

Grapple's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Grapple has Rodolfo up against the cage in a clinch.
Grapple is leaning against Rodolfo and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Spike Grapple is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The referee is keeping an eye on Grapple - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rodolfo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rodolfo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Grapple to keep the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grapple managing to block the knees to the body from Rodolfo.
Rodolfo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Grapple fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rodolfo dodges the punch combination from Grapple.
Rodolfo closes the distance and clinches up with Grapple, looking for a takedown. Rodolfo pushes Grapple against the cage but Grapple circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Grapple looks to score with a jab to the body but Rodolfo is just out of range.
As Grapple tries to get set, Rodolfo tries to push him back and clinch up but Grapple manages to avoid the attempt.

Grapple has closed the distance and engaged Rodolfo in a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rodolfo tries for a takedown but Grapple manages to get underhooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Spike Grapple comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Grapple winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Spike Grapple!
An out of breath Spike Grapple thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.