PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Henrique Gusmao (ranked 41 p4p, 99 weight class) and Rudy Rhod (ranked 4 p4p, 16 weight class). Rhod has chosen Prince - Kiss as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gusmao
vs
Rhod

179 cm
31
155
27 - 7 - 1

180 cm
37
155
32 - 18 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Core Combat
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Henrique Gusmao!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rudy Rhod!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gusmao tries to score with a low kick but Rhod moves his leg out of the way.
Rhod throws out a counter right but Gusmao avoids it with no problem.

Gusmao clinches up with Rhod and pushes him back against the cage.
Rhod avoiding damage.

Rhod's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gusmao fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rhod is out of range.
Rhod swings for the body but Gusmao moves out of range.
Rhod misses with a body shot.
Gusmao tries to counter by clinching up but Rhod breaks away and moves out of range.
Gusmao dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gusmao checks the leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Gusmao.
Gusmao feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Rhods jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Gusmao moves away from the strike by Rhod.
Rhod lands a nice hook to Gusmao's body. Gusmao takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gusmao throws a leg kick but Rhod checks it.
Gusmao tries to clinch up but Rhod circles away and keeps his distance.
The fighters circling - Rhod throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gusmao tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Rhod manages to circle out of the way.
Rhod checks a low kick from Gusmao.
Gusmao misses with a low kick.
Rhod looks to score with a jab to the body but Gusmao is just out of range.
Rhod throws a lazy right hand but Gusmao sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhod motions for Gusmao to come forward. Rhod throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rhod has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Gusmao darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gusmao checks a leg kick.
Rhod looks to score with a jab to the body but Gusmao is just out of range.
Gusmao is looking to counter the offense by Rhod and move into the clinch.
Rhod ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gusmao moves away.
Gusmao uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rhod.
Rhod looks to score with a jab to the body but Gusmao is just out of range.
That kick from Rhod tenderised Gusmao's leg. Gusmao is trying to keep his angry face on.
Gusmao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rhod.
Rhod swings for the body but Gusmao moves out of range.
Gusmao throws a big shot that misses.
Rhod misses with a hook. Gusmao ducked under it nicely.
Rhod ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gusmao moves away.
Gusmao throws a leg kick but Rhod moved away.
Rhod buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gusmao thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rhod feints and then cracks Gusmao's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gusmao down.
Rhod throws a series of punches but Gusmao avoids them all with ease.
Gusmao misses with an uppercut. Rhod saw that one coming.
A big left from Gusmao misses.
Gusmao bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rhod's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gusmao scoring well with a low kick there.
Gusmao fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rhod.
Gusmao connects with a body shot.
Nice defenses there by Gusmao.
Gusmao checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gusmao blocks a leg kick.
Rhod with a nice calf kick.
Gusmao motions for Rhod to come forward. Gusmao throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
It seemed like Rhod was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice defenses there by Rhod.
Gusmao steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rhod.
Gusmao scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rhod doesn't seem bothered though.
Gusmao throws a body shot but no joy.
Gusmao wants to land a leg kick but Rhod is out of range.
Rhod has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rhod there as he acknowledges the shot.
A big left from Gusmao misses.
Rhod is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gusmao rather than just go for the knockout.
Gusmao throws a low kick but Rhod avoids it.
Gusmao tries a low kick but Rhod avoids it.
Gusmao misses the shot to the body.
Rhod keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhod misses the jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gusmao is leaning against Rhod and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Gusmao doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gusmao misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rhod swings wildly with an uppercut but Gusmao uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rhod scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rhod blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rhod lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gusmao backwards.
Gusmao doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rhod creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rhod misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rhod makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gusmao misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gusmao misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right handed body shot lands from Gusmao.
A left hand lands to the body for Rhod.
Rhod misses with the head strike.
Rhod lands with a left to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rhod.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Rhod.
Gusmao tries a body shot but Rhod blocks it.
Gusmao presses Rhod against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short body shot lands from Gusmao as the two fighters clinch.
Rhod misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rhod tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gusmao's elbow.
Rhod gets through Gusmao's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Gusmao scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rhod swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gusmao presses Rhod against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gusmao lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rhod backwards.
Rhod misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gusmao creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gusmao blocks a body shot from Rhod.
Gusmao lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rhod is trying to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gusmao blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gusmao lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rhod backwards.
Rhod pushes Gusmao back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rhod lands on the inside with an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rudy Rhod will probably get the nod.
That's time! Gusmao's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gusmao with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Gusmao moves into the clinch.
Gusmao tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rhod's elbow.
Gusmao throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rhod lands a body shot in the clinch.
Rudy Rhod seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gusmao stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rhod throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gusmaos head.
Gusmao tries to work over Rhod's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rhod blocks an elbow strike.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rhod lands a body shot.
Gusmao goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gusmao comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rhod lands an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gusmao.
Rhod blocks an uppercut.
Gusmao pushes off an throws an elbow but Rhod leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A short left from Gusmao.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gusmao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gusmao goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rhod.
Rhod blocks an uppercut.
Rhod lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhod blocks an uppercut.
Gusmao tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rhod.
Gusmao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Gusmao.
Rhod takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rhod misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rhod misses with a body punch.
Gusmao blocks an uppercut.
Gusmao works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rhod misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rhod lands an uppercut.
Rhod's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rhod misses with a punch on the inside.
Rhod blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Gusmao.
Rhod jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gusmao walks away with a smile on his face. Rhod gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rhod throws a hook but Gusmao avoids it easily.
Gusmao tries to clinch but Rhod is having none of it.
Rhod checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Rhod.
Gusmao slips a straight right by Rhod.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rhod throws a leg kick

and Gusmao counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rhod misses with the head strike.
Rhod misses with a punch on the inside.
Gusmao tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rhod's elbow.
Gusmao swings wildly with an uppercut but Rhod uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rhod lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gusmao.
A head punch on the inside from Rhod fails to land.
Gusmao lands with a right to the head.
Gusmao blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gusmao misses with some punches.
Gusmao tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gusmao misses with a body punch.
Gusmao misses with an elbow strike.
Gusmao misses with some punches.
A body shot lands from Rhod.
Gusmao working aggressively here.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gusmao throws an elbow but misses.
A nice left hand lands by Rhod.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhod is working Gusmao over against the cage.
Rhod working aggressively here.
Gusmao lands an elbow that stopped Rhod in his tracks for a moment.
Gusmao throws a head punch that misses.
Rhod misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gusmao blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gusmao doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gusmao scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rhod misses with the head strike.
Rhod misses with the head strike.
Gusmao lands an elbow just above Rhod 's eye.
Gusmao misses with a body punch.
Gusmao swings wildly with an uppercut but Rhod uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gusmao.
Rhod throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Gusmao.
Gusmao tries to throw a body punch but Rhod avoids it by throwing Gusmao back against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Gusmao.
A shot in the inside from Gusmao.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhod's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rhod tries to work over Gusmao's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gusmao pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rhod.
Gusmao pushes Rhod back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rhod misses with a body punch.
Rhod dodges an elbow strike from Gusmao.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gusmao.
Gusmao lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rhod fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rhod misses with a punch on the inside.
Gusmao lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rhod misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Rhod fails to land.
Gusmao can't find room to land a body shot as Rhod controls the action.
Rhod misses with some punches.
Gusmao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rhod lands with a light punch inside.
Rhod lands with a right to the head.
Gusmao blocking some punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gusmao tries to work over Rhod's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Henrique Gusmao dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gusmao uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rhod.
Gusmao seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Rhod throws a front kick aimed at Gusmao's knee but Gusmao avoids it well.
Gusmao lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rhod pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gusmao is out of range and Rhod settles back down.
Rhod missing with a left hand there. Gusmao was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gusmao tries to score with a low kick but Rhod moves his leg out of the way.
Gusmao blocks a jab.
Rhod is looking to chop away at Gusmao's legs.
Gusmao is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Rhod.
Gusmao misses with a double jab
and Rhod counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gusmao thuds his right hand into Rhod's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Gusmao checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gusmao misses with an uppercut. Rhod saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gusmao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rhod.
Rhod slips a jab from Gusmao.
Gusmao with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gusmao misses with an uppercut. Rhod saw that one coming.
A cross from Rhod lands.
Rhod checks a low kick from Gusmao.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhod misses with a hook.
Gusmao looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Gusmao swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gusmao checks a low kick from Rhod.
Gusmao throws a looping overhand right but Rhod ducks down to avoid it.
Gusmao connects with an inside leg kick.
Gusmao throws a body shot but no joy.
Gusmao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rhod throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rhod misses with an uppercut. Gusmao saw that one coming.
Henrique Gusmao is winning the standup battle so far.
Gusmao moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rhod misses with a low kick.
Rhod throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gusmao defending well as Rhod loads up on a big left hand.
Gusmao is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Rhod.
Gusmao defending well as Rhod loads up on a big left hand.
Gusmao misses with a wild body shot.
It seemed like Rhod was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Rhod tries to keep at a distance but Gusmao has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gusmao misses with an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gusmao lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rhod.
Rhod misses with the head strike.
Gusmao lands a hook to the side of the head.
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!
Gusmao throws a head punch that misses.
Gusmao creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rhod's defenses.
Gusmao tries to work over Rhod's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rhod swings wildly with an uppercut but Gusmao uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gusmao misses with an elbow over the top.
Gusmao misses with an elbow over the top.
Gusmao misses with a punch to the body.
Gusmao misses with an elbow strike.
Nice body punch from Rhod - that landed with a thud.
Rhod blocks an elbow strike.
Rhod swings wildly with an uppercut but Gusmao uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rhod lands with a right to the head.
Rhod misses with a punch on the inside.
Gusmao works on Rhod's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhod misses with a punch on the inside.
Rhod's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Gusmao lands a shot to the body.
Rhod takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rhod wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gusmao lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gusmao lands a nice shot to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gusmao creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gusmao lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gusmao presses Rhod against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gusmao working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gusmao creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rhod's defenses.
Gusmao pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Gusmao.
Gusmao lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gusmao lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gusmao lands an elbow inside that Rhod shrugs off.
A nice left hand lands by Gusmao.
A head punch on the inside from Rhod fails to land.
Rhod misses with a body punch.
Gusmao lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rhod backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gusmao working aggressively here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gusmao.
Rhod has a couple of punches blocked by Gusmao.
A short right from Gusmao on the inside.
Gusmao lands a hook that snaps the head of Rhod backwards.
Rhod wants to stall.
Good body shot from Gusmao.
Gusmao is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rhod can do to turn this around?
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gusmao.
Gusmao tries to throw a body punch but Rhod avoids it by throwing Gusmao back against the cage.
Gusmao blocks a body shot from Rhod.
Rhod has a couple of punches blocked by Gusmao.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gusmao.
A head punch on the inside from Rhod fails to land.
Gusmao comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gusmao blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gusmao just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rhod's brow.
A short body shot lands from Gusmao as the two fighters clinch.
Gusmao misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Gusmao.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Henrique Gusmao clearly takes 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.

Gusmao instigates a clinch.
A short body shot lands from Gusmao as the two fighters clinch.
Rhod tries to throw a body punch but Gusmao avoids it by throwing Rhod back against the cage.
Gusmao misses with some punches.
Rhod lands a shot to the body.
Rhod lands with a left to the head.
Gusmao lands an elbow that stopped Rhod in his tracks for a moment.
Gusmao scores with a shot to the side of Rhod's head.
Rhod lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gusmao misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rhod blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gusmao lands a shoulder strike.
Gusmao pushes off an throws an elbow but Rhod leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rhod misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gusmao misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rhod misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gusmao.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rhod.
Still in the clinch, Rhod scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gusmao presses Rhod against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gusmao creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rhod's defenses.
Rhod is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Gusmao scores with a hook to the body.
Rhod blocks a body shot from Gusmao.
Nice elbow from Gusmao.
Gusmao lands an elbow that stopped Rhod in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Rudy Rhod has been cut.
Gusmao lands a damaging elbow.

Rhod breaks the clinch.

Gusmao moves into the clinch.
Rhod throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Still in the clinch, Rhod scores with a nice short uppercut.
Gusmao lands an elbow just above Rhod 's eye.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rhod.
Gusmao misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gusmao throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A body shot lands from Rhod.
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!
Gusmao misses with the head strike.
Gusmao lands an uppercut.
Rhod lands with a right to the head.
Rhod swings wildly with an uppercut but Gusmao uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rhod scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gusmao lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rhod throws a head punch that misses.
Gusmao lands an elbow inside that Rhod shrugs off.
Rhod misses with some punches.
Rhod blocks an uppercut.
Gusmao scores with a hook to the body.
Gusmao scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gusmao lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Rhod breaks from the clinch.
Gusmao moves out of range of the strikes.
Rhod swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Gusmao lands a jab to the nose.
Rhod keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A big right from Rhod misses.
Gusmao wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Rhod lands a leg kick that knocks Gusmao off balance momentarily.
Rhod misses with a straight left.
Gusmao chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gusmao misses with a leg kick.
Rhod scoring well with a low kick there.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gusmao, as that shot connected.
Gusmao looks to score with a jab to the body but Rhod is just out of range.
Gusmao throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rhod changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gusmao lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gusmao ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rhod throws a leg kick but Gusmao sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gusmao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gusmao on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rhod throws a leg kick which misses Gusmao's front leg but catches the back leg as Gusmao tries to avoid it.
Rhod throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Gusmao throws a leg kick that misses.
Rhod swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Rhod's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gusmao misses with a body shot
and Rhod counters with a slapping leg kick.
Gusmao tried to score with a low kick but Rhod checks it.
Rhod checks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhod tests Gusmao's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rhod throws a shot from downtown. Gusmao moves away and avoids it.
Gusmao moves forwards but Rhod connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rhod moves out of range of the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rhod! But no joy.
Rhod lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A telegraphed right hand from Rhod misses the target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rhod. Gusmao does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gusmao misses with a low kick.
Rhod digs a good hook to Gusmao's body.
Rhod throws a looping overhand right but Gusmao ducks down to avoid it.
A bone on bone clash there as Rhod blocks the leg kick.
Rhod chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gusmao can pounce on him.
Gusmao connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gusmao swings for the body but Rhod moves out of range.
Gusmao stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rhod.
Gusmao misses with a low kick.
Rhod digs a good hook to Gusmao's body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Henrique Gusmao will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rudy Rhod's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gusmao keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rhod.
Gusmao misses with a double jab
and Rhod makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Rhod throws an overhand right that lands on Gusmao's shoulder, as Gusmao tries to avoid the shot.
A low kick lands for Rhod.
Rhod throws the left hand but Gusmao avoids the punch easily.
Rhod slips a straight right by Gusmao.
A nice leg kick from Gusmao, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gusmao tries to move into range but Rhod moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rhod misses with a body shot.
Gusmao takes a swing at Rhod's ribcage but misses.
Rhod takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gusmao walks into a stiff left hand from Rhod.
Gusmao throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rhod on the side of the head.
Rhod uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gusmao.
Gusmao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
An inside leg kick from Gusmao misses.
Rhod looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gusmao misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gusmao checks a low kick from Rhod.
Gusmao lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rhod throws a jab but it's blocked by Gusmao.
Gusmao misses with a wild body shot.
Rhod throws a body shot but no joy.
Gusmao connects with a jab.
Gusmao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rhod moves away.
Gusmao tried to score with a low kick but Rhod checks it.
Gusmao throws a right and a left that Rhod avoids nicely.
Rhod keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gusmao.
Rhod jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rhod gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Gusmao swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rhod misses with an uppercut. Gusmao saw that one coming.
Rhod blocks a low kick nicely.
Rhod was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A telegraphed right hand from Rhod misses the target.
Rhod tries to land a leg kick but Gusmao saw it coming and moves away.
Rudy Rhod has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Henrique Gusmao is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gusmao takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gusmao lands a lovely overhand right.
Rhod throws a solid leg kick but Gusmao takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rhod.
Gusmao thumps Rhod with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rhod tried to score with a low kick but Gusmao checks it.
Rhod misses with a kick to the body.
Rhod avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gusmao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gusmao is looking to clinch but Rhod is avoiding it.
Rhod swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rhod looks to score with a jab to the body but Gusmao is just out of range.
Rhod takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rhod misses with a body shot.
Gusmao seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Rhod avoids the body shot from Gusmao.
Gusmao swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rhod looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice cross by Gusmao.
Rhod stuns Gusmao with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhod takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rhod finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rhod pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gusmao seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gusmao looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rhod just misses with a punch to the body.
Gusmao pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rhod is out of range and Gusmao settles back down.
Gusmao slips a jab from Rhod.
Gusmao chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gusmao avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rhod tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gusmao was well out of range. Poor timing from Rhod.
Rhod jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rhod swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gusmao tries to clinch up but Rhod circles away and keeps his distance.
Rhod swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rhod gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gusmao.
Rhod connects with a nice looking jab.
Rhod tried to score with a low kick but Gusmao checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhod misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gusmao.
Gusmao tries to clinch but Rhod moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gusmao.
Gusmao looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rhod.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gusmao tried to score with a low kick but Rhod checks it.

Gusmao rushes Rhod and presses him up against the cage.
Gusmao swings wildly with an uppercut but Rhod uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rhod misses with a short punch on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Rhod.
Rhod misses with a body punch.
Gusmao lands a hook that snaps the head of Rhod backwards.
Rhod scores with a shot to the side of Gusmao's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Henrique Gusmao.
I think Gusmao 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:45
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Henrique Gusmao!
Henrique Gusmao retains his lightweight title!
Henrique Gusmao bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.