PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Bessant (ranked 923 p4p, 1103 weight class) and Nick Rodriguez (ranked 135 p4p, 155 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bessant
vs
Rodriguez

180 cm
34
214
17 - 11 - 0

190 cm
26
220
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Bessant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nick Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Alyssa Summers and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Rodriguez misses.
Bessant throws a body shot but no joy.
Nick Rodriguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bessant takes one to the side of the head.
Rodriguez throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bessant stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rodriguez uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rodriguez ducks under a wild hook from Bessant.
Rodriguez just misses with a punch to the body.
Bessant was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bessant wants to land a leg kick but Rodriguez is out of range.
Rodriguez throws out a counter right but Bessant avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez moves away from the strike by Bessant.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rodriguez. Bessant does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bessant appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Rodriguez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A shot to the body from Rodriguez misses
and Bessant counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez just misses with a punch to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Rodriguez blocks the leg kick.

Rodriguez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rodriguez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bessant swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Bessant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bessant being controlled here, momentarily.
Rodriguez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bessant is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Bessant keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bessant tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rodriguez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Bessant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rodriguez closes the distance and clinches up with Bessant, looking for a takedown. Rodriguez pushes Bessant against the cage but Bessant circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rodriguez lands with a kick to the ribs.
A swing and a miss from Bessant.
Rodriguez misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Bessant counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bessant as he jumps to the side.
Bessant thinks about countering with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a hook to the side of Bessant's head but Bessant sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rodriguez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bessant throwing a counter right hand but Rodriguez manages to avoid it.
Bessant staying out of range there.
An attempted straight right counter from Bessant misses the target.
Rodriguez missing with a left hand there. Bessant was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rodriguez shoots for a double leg takedown but Bessant sprawls well. He's pushed Rodriguez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
John Bessant has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Rodriguez.
Rodriguez connects with a body shot.
Rodriguez is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bessant rather than just go for the knockout.
A lazy left from Rodriguez finds it's target.
Rodriguez swings for the body but Bessant moves out of range.
Rodriguez moves out of range as Bessant throws a body kick.
Rodriguez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bessant moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Bessant misses.
Bessant throws a nice head kick!
Bessant keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rodriguez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bessant counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Nick Rodriguez has been cut.

Rodriguez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bessant to the mat! Bessant manages to get full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodriguez slips nicely into half guard.
Rodriguez moves nicely into side control.
Rodriguez works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Rodriguez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bessant keeps working.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Rodriguez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nick Rodriguez's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rodriguez lands with a nice combination. Bessant backs away looking to recover.
Bessant throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rodriguez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bessant sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Bessant gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rodriguez to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rodriguez tries to free his leg and advance position but Bessant is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Bessant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodriguez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bessant swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Bessant keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Bessant trying to keep a closed guard but Rodriguez is proving a slippery customer.
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Bessant keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rodriguez is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rodriguez misses with an uppercut
and Bessant counters with a series of strikes. Rodriguez will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rodriguez goes for a double leg but Bessant avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bessant continues to drive forward.
Bessant seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rodriguez lands a jab to Bessant's midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Bessant quickly recovers to half guard.
Bessant controlling the position for now.
Bessant is looking for a sweep. Rodriguez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bessant is not content to let Rodriguez control the position.
Rodriguez tries to pass to full mount but Bessant defends it.
Rodriguez prevents Bessant from improving his position.
Rodriguez controlling the action here.
Bessant is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bessant wants to control but Rodriguez is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rodriguez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bessant knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Bessant is trying to maintain the position but Rodriguez is very close to passing his half guard.
Rodriguez trying to mount his opponent but Bessant defends it.
Rodriguez is looking to take a break and control but Bessant is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bessant is looking to clinch but Rodriguez is avoiding it.
Rodriguez throws a big shot that misses.

That's four 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.
Rodriguez throws a combination that misses
and Bessant counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rodriguez cracks Bessant with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rodriguez just misses with a punch to the body.
Rodriguez misses the body punch
enabling Bessant to counter with a crisp jab.
Rodriguez just misses with a punch to the body.
Bessant throws a quick counter head kick but Rodriguez was just out of range.
Rodriguez lands a nice shot that snaps Bessant's head back.
Rodriguez moves out of range of the strikes.
Rodriguez throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nick Rodriguez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodriguez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rodriguez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rodriguez lands a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Rodriguez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nick Rodriguez'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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rodriguez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rodriguez with a hook.

Rodriguez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rodriguez trying to control the action but Bessant is working from the bottom.
Bessant gets back to half guard.
Rodriguez is thwarting Bessant's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez is trying to control. Bessant wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessant tries to roll over but Rodriguez keeps him under control.
Bessant won't allow Rodriguez to pass to mount.
Bessant gets back to full guard.
Rodriguez passes into half guard.
Rodriguez wants to pass to mount but Bessant is defending the position.
Bessant is trying to get back to full guard.
Bessant is refusing to be controlled, as Rodriguez sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura but Bessant is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rodriguez to get the leverage.
Bessant is looking to improve his position.
Rodriguez wants to take a breather but Bessant is having none of it.
Bessant is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Bessant gets full guard.
Bessant bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rodriguez's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Bessant is looking to control Rodriguez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bessant avoid being mounted?
Rodriguez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rodriguez passes to full mount!
Bessant tries to hold on but Rodriguez postures up.
Rodriguez trying to control but Bessant is having none of it.
Bessant is controlling an arm, preventing Rodriguez from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bessant is looking to escape.
Bessant is working to get back to half guard.
Bessant has given up his back.

Rodriguez is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Bessant knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Bessant for a finish.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodriguez tries to keep control of the position but Bessant is staying busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Rodriguez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rodriguez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

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