PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Emanuel Rodrigez (ranked 3995 p4p, 2295 weight class) and Manu Ahonen (ranked 499 p4p, 324 weight class). Manu Ahonen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rodrigez
vs
Ahonen

188 cm
40
169
21 - 34 - 0

182 cm
42
170
22 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 34 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Emanuel Rodrigez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manu Ahonen!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahonen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rodrigez on the side of the head.
Ahonen darts in looking for a takedown but Rodrigez gets double underhooks and turns Ahonen into the cage.
Ahonen connects with a crisp jab.
Rodrigez shoots in looking for a takedown but Ahonen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rodrigez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ahonen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rodrigez defends it nicely.

Rodrigez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ahonen, pushing him back against the cage.

Rodrigez manages to break the clinch.
We've been informed that Ahonen 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Ahonen.

Ahonen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rodrigez quickly recovers to half guard.

Rodrigez manages to escape and get back to his feet!
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!
Rodrigez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ahonen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahonen stalks Rodrigez and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rodrigez's face. Rodrigez staggers backwards, shaken.
Rodrigez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ahonen. That's going to slow Rodrigez down.
Rodrigez is looking to clinch but Ahonen is avoiding it.
Ahonen lands a lovely overhand right.
Ahonen scores with a jab.
Ahonen scores with a shot to the body.

Ahonen shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
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!
Rodrigez looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ahonen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rodrigez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rodrigez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rodrigez.
Ahonen cracks Rodrigez with a solid left hand.
Rodrigez looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodrigez, not yet.
Rodrigez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ahonen throws a big right hand that misses.
Ahonen working some strikes from top position.
Rodrigez keeping full guard, as Ahonen tries to pass.
Ahonen pushing down on Rodrigez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Rodrigez has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen is looking to take a break and control but Rodrigez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ahonen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rodrigez defending well though.
Ahonen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Rodrigez is trying to stand.
Ahonen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ahonen wants to take a breather but Rodrigez is having none of it.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ahonen lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rodrigez is pressing down on Ahonen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ahonen postures up and lands a big shot to Rodrigez's brow.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ahonen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ahonen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Ahonen passes Rodrigez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nice strikes from Ahonen there.
Ahonen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rodrigez is trying to get back to full guard.
Rodrigez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ahonen trying to control but Rodrigez is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Manu Ahonen 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.

Rodrigez darts in and clinches Ahonen up against the cage.

Ahonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ahonen dives in for a single leg takedown but Rodrigez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rodrigez wants to clinch up but Ahonen keeps it at a distance.
Ahonen keeps the fight on the outside.
Ahonen throws a half hearted mid kick.
A cross from Ahonen lands.
Ahonen shoots for a double leg takedown but Rodrigez sprawls well. He's pushed Ahonen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rodrigez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ahonen avoids it really well and circles away.
Ahonen let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodrigez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ahonen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ahonen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ahonen throws a counter combo.
Ahonen misses with a hook.
Rodrigez is looking to counter the offense by Ahonen and move into the clinch.
Ahonen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rodrigez has time to react.
Ahonen lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rodrigez will feel that in the morning.
Rodrigez misses with a takedown attempt
and Ahonen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Emanuel Rodrigez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodrigez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ahonen to score with a decent uppercut.
Rodrigez takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ahonen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Good leg kick by Ahonen.

Rodrigez drives through and clinches with Ahonen against the cage.
Rodrigez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rodrigez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ahonen avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ahonen taking a breather.
Rodrigez wants to stall.
Ahonen stalling.
Ahonen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A shot in the inside from Ahonen.
Rodrigez looking for a takedown.
Ahonen has Rodrigez pressed against the cage.
Ahonen lands with a short shot to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rodrigez has a couple of punches blocked by Ahonen.
Ahonen is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen is working Rodrigez over against the cage.
Ahonen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ahonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rodrigez tries to pull guard but Ahonen won't allow it.
Rodrigez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rodrigez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ahonen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ahonen lands a right hand.
A bit of stalling here from Rodrigez.
Rodrigez blocks a body shot from Ahonen.
Ahonen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Ahonen is trying to trip Rodrigez. He has hold of a leg but Rodrigez is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Ahonen persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Ahonen lands a couple of digs.
Ahonen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rodrigez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rodrigez is on top in guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodrigez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodrigez trying to control but Ahonen is working from the bottom.
Ahonen is trying to control the position but Rodrigez postures up.
Rodrigez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rodrigez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ahonen is looking to reverse the position.
Ahonen sneaks back into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Manu Ahonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ahonen misses with a wild combination.

Rodrigez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Rodrigez controls the position.
Rodrigez trying to control the position but Ahonen is working away.
Rodrigez slows the pace down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahonen wants to get back to his feet but Rodrigez drags him back down.
Ahonen is not content to let Rodrigez control the position.
Rodrigez takes a little break here. Ahonen wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigez trying to control the action but Ahonen is working from the bottom.
Ahonen tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Rodrigez presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Ahonen wants to control but Rodrigez is having none of it.
Rodrigez lands with some strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigez controlling the position easily from mount.
Ahonen regains half guard.
Ahonen is looking for a sweep. Rodrigez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rodrigez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rodrigez is stalling here. Ahonen is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Rodrigez seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Ahonen has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
You can see the frustration on Rodrigez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rodrigez being controlled for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Rodrigez dodges the ground and pound from Ahonen.
Ahonen in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Rodrigez tries to buck Ahonen off but Ahonen is having none of it.
Ahonen is looking to take a break and control but Rodrigez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rodrigez regains half guard.

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.
Ahonen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rodrigez is staying active underneath Ahonen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Ahonen is looking for a kimura but Rodrigez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ahonen to get the leverage.

Rodrigez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rodrigez gets full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Emanuel Rodrigez clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ahonen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodrigez closes the distance and clinches up with Ahonen, looking for a takedown. Rodrigez pushes Ahonen against the cage but Ahonen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rodrigez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rodrigez.
A lull in the action here.
Emanuel Rodrigez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ahonen regains half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ahonen looking for submissions off his back.
Rodrigez with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigez uses his free foot to push down on Ahonen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ahonen.
Ahonen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ahonen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rodrigez is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Ahonen can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Ahonen throwing hammer fists to the chest of Rodrigez. What's that going to do exactly?
Rodrigez avoids the attempt from Ahonen to control.
Rodrigez tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Rodrigez working for a guillotine from mount but Ahonen is in no mood to give up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen is squirming around, avoiding Rodrigez's attempts to control the action.
Rodrigez looking to ground and pound but Ahonen is blocking nicely.
Rodrigez takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Rodrigez scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ahonen?
Ahonen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Rodrigez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Ahonen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Rodrigez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ahonen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ahonen keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Rodrigez sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ahonen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rodrigez is working away from the top position though.
Ahonen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rodrigez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rodrigez's back!
Well, with Ahonen on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Rodrigez is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigez rolls, trying to escape but Ahonen keeps control of the position.
Rodrigez looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Rodrigez is covering up but some of the strikes from Ahonen are getting through and doing damage.
Ahonen loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Rodrigez hold on?
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rodrigez is in a bad position with Ahonen working for a choke. Rodrigez manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Emanuel Rodrigez had his way with Manu Ahonen in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ahonen.
Ahonen postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Ahonen landing strikes.
Rodrigez wants to control but Ahonen postures up.
Rodrigez is trying to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rodrigez keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigez takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Ahonen trying to control the action but Rodrigez is working from the bottom.
Ahonen working away.
Ahonen working the ground and pound from side control.
Rodrigez managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Ahonen.
Ahonen lands an elbow.
Rodrigez regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rodrigez's head.
Rodrigez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rodrigez.
Ahonen preventing the sweep.
Ahonen distracts Rodrigez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ahonen chips away with some ground and pound.

Rodrigez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ahonen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ahonen works over Rodrigez with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigez is working an open guard so Ahonen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ahonen.
Rodrigez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ahonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Rodrigez.
Ahonen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rodrigez takes one to the chin there.
Rodrigez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Ahonen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ahonen.
Rodrigez takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigez has a takedown stuffed.
Rodrigez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ahonen defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Emanuel Rodrigez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodrigez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rodrigez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ahonen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ahonen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rodrigez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ahonen is looking to land body kicks.
Rodrigez changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manu Ahonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ahonen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 47:48
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manu Ahonen!
In defeat, Emanuel Rodrigez stepped up to the mic, saying 'PUTA!!!'.