PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Keith Rodgers (ranked 349 p4p, 255 weight class) and Lyoha Nagibatel (ranked 45 p4p, 31 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rodgers
vs
Nagibatel

184 cm
38
185
22 - 10 - 1

180 cm
35
194
26 - 18 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

30th Century Beer Store

NARCOS
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 1, fighting out of London, Keith Rodgers !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lyoha Nagibatel!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Richard Clark and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodgers moves in looking to clinch but Nagibatel pushes him off.
Rodgers 's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nagibatel under the eye.
Nagibatel throws a nice outside leg kick.

Rodgers shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rodgers was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rodgers connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Nagibatel some visible discomfort.
Rodgers wants to control but Nagibatel is keeping him busy.
We've been hearing that Rodgers has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Rodgers creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Nagibatel sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Rodgers throws a strike aimed at the side of Nagibatel's head but Nagibatel avoids it well.
Check out the look on Rodgers 's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rodgers wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nagibatel keeps working.
Nagibatel tries to escape but Rodgers is in control.
Rodgers wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nagibatel keeps working.
Rodgers in side control, throwing shots but Nagibatel defends.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Rodgers is looking to take a break and control but Nagibatel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rodgers tries to advance to mount but can't.
Rodgers working the head with strikes.
Rodgers fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Rodgers wants to control but Nagibatel is keeping him busy.
Rodgers working the ground and pound but Nagibatel is defending the strikes.
Rodgers in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Rodgers throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Nagibatel on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Rodgers misses with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rodgers asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Nagibatel dodges the ground and pound from Rodgers .
Rodgers tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Nagibatel is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rodgers asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Nagibatel dodges the ground and pound from Rodgers .
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodgers grinds an elbow into Nagibatel's temple.
Rodgers sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Nagibatel is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Rodgers tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Nagibatel is not content to let Rodgers control the position.
Rodgers in side control, throwing shots but Nagibatel defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel regains half guard, as Rodgers was trying to land strikes.
Nagibatel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rodgers .
Rodgers thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rodgers is looking to take a break and control but Nagibatel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Rodgers .
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rodgers connects with a nice short shot to Nagibatel's temple.
Rodgers sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nagibatel defending well though.
Rodgers throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nagibatel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rodgers .
Rodgers thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nagibatel's head.
Rodgers thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nagibatel's head.
Nagibatel is trying to stand back up but Rodgers is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rodgers thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nagibatel's head.
Rodgers is trying to control the action in half guard but Nagibatel is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rodgers throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rodgers content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Nagibatel kicks off Rodgers and gets to his feet.
Nagibatel avoids the head kick by Rodgers .
Rodgers is looking to clinch but Nagibatel is avoiding it.
Rodgers throws a body shot but no joy.
A shot to the liver by Rodgers . Beautiful body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big left from Rodgers misses.
Nagibatel feints a counter leg kick.
Rodgers throws a body punch but Nagibatel moves out of range.
Nagibatel only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Rodgers looks for a takedown but Nagibatel sprawls well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Rodgers dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rodgers tries to land a front kick but Nagibatel steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nagibatel was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Rodgers throws a leg kick which misses Nagibatel's front leg but catches the back leg as Nagibatel tries to avoid it.
Nagibatel moves out of range of the leg kick from Rodgers .
Good leg kick by Nagibatel.
Rodgers connects with a nice looking jab.
Nagibatel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nagibatel blocks a jab.
Nagibatel stuffs the takedown attempt from Rodgers . Rodgers gets slowly back to his feet.
Nagibatel appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rodgers or perhaps it was just good defense by Nagibatel, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagibatel swats away the attempt to clinch by Rodgers .
Nagibatel appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nagibatel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rodgers .
Nagibatel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nagibatel lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Rodgers . That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagibatel slips under a jab from Rodgers .
Nagibatel was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Nagibatel keeps the fight on the outside.
Rodgers throws out a loose jab but Nagibatel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nagibatel flicks out a counter leg kick but Rodgers steps away.
Rodgers swings for the body but Nagibatel moves out of range.
Rodgers lands a body shot.
Nagibatel tries to move into range but Rodgers moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nagibatel walks into a jab.
Nagibatel looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rodgers throws a right hand that misses
and Nagibatel counters with a good low kick that Rodgers was not able to check.
Rodgers bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nagibatel's head backwards.
Rodgers tries to land a front kick but Nagibatel steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rodgers takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Keith Rodgers is winning the standup battle so far.
Rodgers connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodgers rushes Nagibatel and presses him up against the cage.
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!
Rodgers misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rodgers tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nagibatel's elbow.
Nagibatel is struggling to control the position.
Rodgers has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nagibatel is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rodgers has Nagibatel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nagibatel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rodgers throws a punch but it's blocked by Nagibatel.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Nagibatel breaks from the clinch.
Lyoha Nagibatel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rodgers misses with a left hand
and Nagibatel counters with a straight right hand.
Nagibatel takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Rodgers is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nagibatel can do to turn this around?
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rodgers is defended easily by Nagibatel.
Nagibatel only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodgers closes the distance and clinches.
Rodgers struggles to land a body shot inside as Nagibatel controls his hands.
Rodgers has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nagibatel after a bit of a struggle.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nagibatel takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Rodgers gets through Nagibatel's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nagibatel is looking to control Rodgers 's arms but Rodgers gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nagibatel has his back to the cage.
Rodgers struggles to land a body shot inside as Nagibatel controls his hands.
Rodgers goes for a takedown attempt but Nagibatel pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nagibatel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Nagibatel blocks the leg kick.
Rodgers throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nagibatel on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Rodgers misses the target.
Rodgers fails to land the takedown.
Rodgers backing away here, and Nagibatel unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Rodgers gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nagibatel counters with a nice uppercut.
Rodgers cracks Nagibatel with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Rodgers just misses with a punch to the body.
Rodgers fails with the takedown.
Nagibatel tries a quick counter leg kick but Rodgers is wise to it.
Rodgers is looking to clinch but Nagibatel is avoiding it.
Nagibatel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rodgers .
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!
That kick from Nagibatel tenderised Rodgers 's leg. Rodgers is trying to keep his angry face on.

Nagibatel tries to sprawl but Rodgers drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Nagibatel makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
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 Keith Rodgers will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. 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.

Nagibatel moves out of range of the body kick.
Nagibatel flicks out a counter leg kick but Rodgers steps away.
Rodgers connects with an inside leg kick.
Rodgers will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rodgers tries for a takedown but Nagibatel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rodgers throws a body punch but Nagibatel moves out of range.
Nagibatel only half commits to the counter leg kick.

Rodgers has managed to clinch.
Rodgers keeps control of Nagibatel as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nagibatel's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rodgers wants a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagibatel has Rodgers pressed against the cage.
Rodgers tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nagibatel's elbow.
Rodgers is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Rodgers . That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagibatel stalling in the clinch but Rodgers improves position.
Nagibatel manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Rodgers wants a takedown.
Rodgers can't find room to land a body shot as Nagibatel controls the action.
Nagibatel prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nagibatel stalling against the cage.
Nagibatel is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rodgers tries a body shot but Nagibatel blocks it.
Nagibatel just leaning against Rodgers , taking a breather.
Nagibatel stalls.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lyoha Nagibatel.
Nagibatel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nagibatel misses with a double jab.
Rodgers throws a wild body kick that Nagibatel sees coming a mile off.
Keith Rodgers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers missing with a left hand there. Nagibatel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It seemed like Nagibatel was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Rodgers moves into the clinch.
Nagibatel pressing his opponent against the cage.
Rodgers digs a right hand into Nagibatel's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nagibatel's gas tank.
Nagibatel is looking to control Rodgers 's arms but Rodgers gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nagibatel has his back to the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Nagibatel.
Rodgers being controlled against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagibatel stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Nagibatel receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lyoha Nagibatel.
Nice sprawl there from Nagibatel as Rodgers shoots in.
Rodgers backing away here, and Nagibatel unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Nagibatel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rodgers throws out the jab.
Rodgers tries to clinch but Nagibatel is having none of it.
Nagibatel was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Jab by Rodgers .
Rodgers fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rodgers looks for the body kick but Nagibatel saw that one coming.
Nagibatel only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Rodgers throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nagibatel on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers tries for a takedown but Nagibatel circles away easily
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rodgers is looking to clinch.
Nagibatel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rodgers shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nagibatel sprawls well. Nagibatel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodgers gets slowly back to his feet.
Nagibatel feints a counter leg kick.
Rodgers lands with a shot to the body.
Lyoha Nagibatel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodgers takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodgers fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nagibatel avoids it really well and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Lyoha Nagibatel.
Well Rodgers has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keith Rodgers !
In his post fight interview, Keith Rodgers started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.