PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Santiago Rodriguez (ranked 5530 p4p, 6342 weight class) and Bjorn IronSide (ranked 591 p4p, 639 weight class). Bjorn IronSide has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rodriguez
vs
IronSide

186 cm
25
215
10 - 7 - 1

170 cm
33
190
7 - 20 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 10 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Santiago Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bjorn IronSide!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Taro Takaoka and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
IronSide misses with a takedown attempt - Rodriguez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
IronSide throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

IronSide shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rodriguez napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Rodriguez throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
IronSide uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rodriguez lands a jab to 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!
The fighters circling - Rodriguez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Santiago Rodriguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters circling - Rodriguez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A punch combination from Rodriguez misses.
IronSide dives in for a single leg takedown but Rodriguez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
IronSide slips under a jab from Rodriguez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez swats away the attempt to clinch by IronSide.
Rodriguez connects with the punch.
Rodriguez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Rodriguez tries to keep at a distance but IronSide has taken the fight into the clinch.
IronSide jumps guard but Rodriguez stands there with IronSide around his waist. IronSide gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Santiago Rodriguez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjorn IronSide.
Rodriguez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rodriguez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've been informed that IronSide 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.
Rodriguez misses with some punches.
Rodriguez tries to break free but IronSide pushes him back against the cage.

Rodriguez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rodriguez misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
IronSide slips under a jab from Rodriguez.
IronSide walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
IronSide throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.

IronSide has taken the fight to the clinch.

IronSide escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rodriguez throws the left hand but IronSide avoids the punch easily.
Rodriguez throws the left hand but IronSide avoids the punch easily.
IronSide misses with a head kick.

IronSide looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodriguez looks like he's trying to stand up.
IronSide is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez won't allow IronSide to pass to mount.

IronSide is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rodriguez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time IronSide.
IronSide trying to control the pace.

Rodriguez kicks IronSide off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
IronSide walks into a straight right hand from Rodriguez.
IronSide tries to clinch up.
IronSide slips under a jab from Rodriguez.

IronSide fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rodriguez, pushing him back against the cage.
Rodriguez throws a punch but it's blocked by IronSide.

IronSide pulls guard successfully.
IronSide is trying to control the position but Rodriguez postures up.
IronSide pulls Rodriguez in close to prevent any damage.
Rodriguez postures up.
Rodriguez preventing the sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Santiago Rodriguez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

IronSide rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodriguez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Rodriguez misses the target.

IronSide moves into range and clinches up with Rodriguez.

IronSide escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
IronSide moves out of range as Rodriguez strikes.
Rodriguez looks to throw the jab but IronSide is out of range.
IronSide shoots in for a takedown but Rodriguez shows good takedown defense.
IronSide avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rodriguez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rodriguez throws a hook but IronSide blocks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Rodriguez misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez slips a jab and a cross from IronSide.
Rodriguez is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
No joy there for IronSide, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rodriguez is looking to counter punch.
Sloppy strikes from IronSide. Those never looked like landing.
Rodriguez throws out a loose jab but IronSide uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a big shot that misses.
Rodriguez sets himself, and IronSide steps forward looking for the clinch! Rodriguez avoids it this time.
Rodriguez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract IronSide.
IronSide displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rodriguez throws out the jab.

IronSide closes the distance and clinches.
IronSide blocks an uppercut.
IronSide blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
IronSide fails to pull guard.

IronSide breaks from the clinch.
A big right from Rodriguez misses.
IronSide is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
IronSide drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
IronSide tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
IronSide looks to land a combination but Rodriguez avoids it well.
Rodriguez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract IronSide.
Rodriguez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract IronSide.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
IronSide closes the distance and clinches up with Rodriguez, looking for a takedown. IronSide pushes Rodriguez against the cage but Rodriguez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Santiago Rodriguez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjorn IronSide.
IronSide wants to clinch.
A swing and a miss from Rodriguez.
IronSide throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

IronSide instigates a clinch.
Rodriguez wants to break free but IronSide has control.
IronSide has Rodriguez pressed against the cage, preventing Rodriguez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

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

IronSide has taken the fight to the clinch.

Rodriguez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rodriguez misses with a straight left.
Rodriguez bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Rodriguez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that IronSide can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Rodriguez misses its intended target.
Rodriguez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by IronSide.
Rodriguez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rodriguez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from IronSide.
An attempted straight right counter from Rodriguez misses the target.
Rodriguez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
IronSide ducks under a wild hook from Rodriguez.
IronSide steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Rodriguez.
IronSide rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodriguez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rodriguez is looking for a counter combo.
Rodriguez is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
IronSide shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rodriguez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
IronSide lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Rodriguez throws a combination that misses
and IronSide counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
IronSide slips a straight right by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez throws a one two combo.
Rodriguez throws a shot from downtown. IronSide moves away and avoids it.
Santiago Rodriguez is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
IronSide misses with a looping right.
IronSide walks into a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
IronSide fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rodriguez avoids it really well and circles away.
Rodriguez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rodriguez loads up on a big right hand but IronSide slips the punch.
IronSide is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Rodriguez misses the target.

IronSide gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A right handed body shot lands from IronSide.
IronSide leaning against his opponent.

IronSide pulls Rodriguez into guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Santiago Rodriguez will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

IronSide uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez sets himself, and IronSide steps forward looking for the clinch! Rodriguez avoids it this time.
IronSide tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rodriguez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
IronSide slips under a jab.
IronSide avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rodriguez throws out a loose jab but IronSide uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bjorn IronSide is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodriguez throws a hook but IronSide avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Rodriguez misses its intended target.

IronSide forces Rodriguez back against the cage and clinches.
IronSide lands a knee to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
IronSide blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rodriguez misses with a punch on the inside.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch.
IronSide misses with a looping left.
An attempted straight right counter from Rodriguez misses the target.

IronSide closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
IronSide jumps guard but Rodriguez stands there with IronSide around his waist. IronSide gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
IronSide stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
IronSide will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rodriguez up against the cage.
The crowd are getting on IronSide's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Rodriguez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rodriguez lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rodriguez wants to get back to striking at distance but IronSide won't allow it.
IronSide prevents Rodriguez from breaking the clinch.
Rodriguez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rodriguez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
IronSide has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rodriguez after a bit of a struggle.
IronSide has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rodriguez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Santiago Rodriguez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjorn IronSide.
IronSide keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rodriguez's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is trying to push IronSide away but IronSide has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rodriguez is trying to push IronSide away but IronSide has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

IronSide decides to pull guard.
Rodriguez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
IronSide is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.
IronSide tries to pass to full mount but Rodriguez defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but IronSide is on him like a limpet, forcing Rodriguez back against the cage.

IronSide pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
IronSide avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
IronSide unleashes a big counter combination but Rodriguez bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
IronSide bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
IronSide avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
IronSide looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bjorn IronSide has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
IronSide bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rodriguez misses with a looping right.
Rodriguez takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
IronSide slips under a jab from Rodriguez.
IronSide throws a counter combo.

IronSide has Rodriguez up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
IronSide is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rodriguez gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
IronSide blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez working aggressively here.

IronSide breaks from the clinch.
Rodriguez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rodriguez.
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!

IronSide darts in and clinches Rodriguez up against the cage.
Rodriguez misses with the head strike.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Donk. Rodriguez catches IronSide right on the button with a cross.
IronSide needs to keep his hands up - Rodriguez had a free shot at his head there.
Santiago Rodriguez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodriguez misses with a series of wild punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Santiago Rodriguez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rodriguez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santiago Rodriguez!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Santiago Rodriguez waved his t-shirt featuring KOMBAT KLOTHING's logo in front of the cameras.