PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richie Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodriguez comes to the cage accompanied by Rockstar. On his way into the cage it seems that Richie Rodriguez has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Richie Rodriguez seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Rodriguez
vs
King

196 cm
24
213 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

190 cm
24
210 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Prefers standup

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Richie Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt King!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. King defends it nicely.
Rodriguez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice takedown defense from King. No joy for Rodriguez on that attempt.
Rodriguez dives in and grabs King's left leg, looking for a takedown. King pushes down on Rodriguez's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richie Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
King jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rodriguez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Rodriguez doesn't manage to clinch there - King circles away.

King fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rodriguez, pushing him back against the cage.
Rodriguez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A bit of stalling here from King.
King has Rodriguez pressed against the cage, preventing Rodriguez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rodriguez wants a takedown but no success here.
King lands an elbow that stopped Rodriguez in his tracks for a moment.
Rodriguez blocks an elbow strike.
King stalling.
Rodriguez dodges an elbow strike from King.
King dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
King lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King lands a nice uppercut.
Rodriguez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as King takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Rodriguez is trying to break free.
King manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
King creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rodriguez's defenses.
King lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rodriguez backwards.
King displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rodriguez up against the cage.
Rodriguez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but King pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rodriguez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rodriguez can't get the takedown.
Rodriguez is working for takedown but King is calmly controlling the position for now.
King has Rodriguez pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but King holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodriguez drops back down to his feet.
King lands a nice elbow.
King lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but King won't allow it.
King taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Rodriguez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. King smiles and moves away.
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but King paws at him with a jab and circles away.
King moves forwards but Rodriguez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nice jab there from King.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt - King sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Richie Rodriguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
King looks to land a left hand but Rodriguez moved out of range nicely.

King closes the distance and pushes Rodriguez back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
King is pressed up against the cage. Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag King down to the mat. King avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A nice leg kick lands there from King.
Rodriguez is breathing heavily.
King connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

King instigates a clinch.
King stalling against the cage.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but King holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodriguez drops back down to his feet.
King holding his opponent close, against the cage.
King gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
A short right from King on the inside.
King lands an elbow that stopped Rodriguez in his tracks for a moment.
A short right hand to the side of the head by King.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rodriguez has King pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. King manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rodriguez fails to pull guard.
King stops a takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
King avoiding damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
King lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
King lands an elbow inside.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rodriguez dodges an elbow strike from King.
Rodriguez is trying to break the clinch but King is controlling him.
King stalling in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
King receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
King lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but King manages to get underhooks.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
King working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt King dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

King displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rodriguez.
King tries to clinch up but Rodriguez circles away and keeps his distance.

King has closed the distance and engaged Rodriguez in a clinch.
Rodriguez looking for a takedown.
King lands an elbow just above Rodriguez 's eye.
King is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
King lands a hook that snaps the head of Rodriguez backwards.
King has Rodriguez pressed against the cage.
Rodriguez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richie Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
King lands a damaging elbow.
King is pressed up against the cage. Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag King down to the mat. King avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Matt King seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rodriguez swinging wilding here.
Rodriguez misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodriguez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
King looks like he's trying to stand up.

King kicks off Rodriguez and gets to his feet.
King throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rodriguez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rodriguez tries to clinch but King moves out of range.
Rodriguez darts in trying to clinch
and King counters with a nice low kick that buckles Rodriguez's knee momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before King can pounce on him.
King circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rodriguez misses with a double jab.
King throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodriguez connects with a body shot.
Rodriguez tries to clinch but King moves out of range.

King gets in close and instigates a clinch.
King misses with an elbow strike.
Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. King avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
King lands an elbow inside.
Rodriguez wants to get back to striking at distance but King won't allow it.
King lands a hook to the side of the head.
King prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. King avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rodriguez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
King stalls.
Rodriguez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
King prevents a takedown attempt there.
King stops a takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez fails to pull guard.
A short left from King.
Rodriguez tries to circle away but King has him pinned against the cage.
King lands a nice elbow.
Rodriguez jumps guard but King stands there with Rodriguez around his waist. Rodriguez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rodriguez is trying to drag King to the mat but King just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but King manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
King lands an elbow inside.
King lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rodriguez wants a takedown.
King pushes off an throws an elbow but Rodriguez leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
King has Rodriguez pressed against the cage, preventing Rodriguez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
King misses with an elbow strike.
King throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Rodriguez has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed King clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodriguez controlling well, preventing King from escaping the position.
King has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Rodriguez not allowing King to control his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt King showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

King stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and King wants it to stay on the feet.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but King shows good takedown defense.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but King won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richie Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
King stalls.
Rodriguez takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rodriguez wants a takedown but no success here.
Rodriguez fails to pull guard.
King prevents the takedown attempt.
King comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Richie Rodriguez has been cut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A quick uppercut on the inside from King.
King leaning against his opponent.
Rodriguez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rodriguez fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rodriguez can't get the takedown.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by King as Rodriguez tries to tie him up.
King throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rodriguezs head.
Rodriguez has King pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. King manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
King displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rodriguez up against the cage.
Rodriguez has had enough of the clinch but King keeps him there for the moment.
King lands with a right to the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
King on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
King lands a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rodriguez wants to break free but King has control.
Rodriguez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rodriguez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
King lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
King content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from King.
Rodriguez has King pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. King manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
King creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rodriguez's defenses.
Rodriguez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
King lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rodriguez tries to score a body lock takedown but King shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
King stalling in the clinch.
King makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rodriguez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but King gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants a takedown but no success here.
King scores with a shot to the side of Rodriguez's head.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but King holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodriguez drops back down to his feet.
A nice left hand lands by King.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rodriguez fails to pull guard.
Rodriguez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rodriguez is looking to break free of the clinch but King has double underhooks.
King lands an elbow inside that Rodriguez shrugs off.
Rodriguez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
King stalling the fight.
King pushes off an throws an elbow but Rodriguez leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Richie Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rodriguez goes for a takedown in the clinch but King prevents it.
King stalling.
Rodriguez jumps guard but King stands there with Rodriguez around his waist. Rodriguez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rodriguez takes an elbow to the forehead.
King lands an elbow inside that Rodriguez shrugs off.
King gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
King 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.
King gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodriguez blocks an elbow strike from King.
King lands an uppercut.
Matt King is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but King holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodriguez drops back down to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt King comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got King winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt King!