PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jorge Rodriguez (ranked 3456 p4p, 2014 weight class) and Devyn Howell (ranked 351 p4p, 213 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Devyn Howell was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Rodriguez
vs
Howell

186 cm
27
270
5 - 4 - 0

192 cm
27
265
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

BANZAI NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jorge Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Devyn Howell!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howell shoots in for a takedown but Rodriguez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Rodriguez looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Rodriguez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Howell's head.
Rodriguez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Howell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rodriguez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howell slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howell looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Howell bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rodriguez's guard.

Howell is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rodriguez is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rodriguez has escaped and now he's on top!

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodriguez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howell lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Howell drops back looking for a leg! Rodriguez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rodriguez manages to kick Howell off! Howell jumps back into Rodriguez's guard.
Howell wants to control from the top but Rodriguez keeps moving.
Rodriguez is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at California Top Team that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Rodriguez controlling the position.
Rodriguez can't keep his opponent in guard - Howell advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howell trying to mount his opponent but Rodriguez defends it.
Rodriguez wants to get back to full guard.
Rodriguez is working hard here to advance position.
Howell trying to control from half guard but Rodriguez is working away.

Howell is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rodriguez is just riding it out for now. Howell eventually gives up the hold.

Howell is working for a kimura but Rodriguez is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Howell is working for a kimura but Rodriguez is defending it quite comfortably.
Rodriguez tries to get to full guard but Howell has control of the leg.
Howell trying to control the action but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rodriguez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Howell is pressing down on Rodriguez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rodriguez is holding on for now.
Howell perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Howell is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Howell trying to mount his opponent but Rodriguez defends it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Devyn Howell will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rodriguez shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rodriguez is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Howell gets full guard.
Rodriguez stopping the sweep attempt from Howell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Howell is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Rodriguez has his hands clasped together but Howell extends and breaks Rodriguez's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Howell.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Devyn Howell!