PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between vlatko lib (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Rodgers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

lib
vs
Rodgers

186 cm
23
215 lbs
4 - 4 - 1

182 cm
26
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, vlatko lib!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ken Rodgers!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice inside leg kick there by lib. That's going to slow Rodgers down.
A head kick misses from lib.
Rodgers keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
lib fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rodgers throws a shot from downtown. lib moves away and avoids it.
Rodgers scores with a body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - lib looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rodgers takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rodgers pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
lib scores with a leg kick.

lib moves into the clinch successfully.
lib lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
lib working Rodgers over with knees to the body.
Rodgers drops to a knee looking for a takedown but lib gets the underhooks and prevents it.
lib slowing the pace effectively.
lib landing knees to the head.
lib just leaning against Rodgers, taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rodgers managing to block the knees to the body from lib.
Rodgers is trying to drag lib to the mat but lib just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
vlatko lib has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Rodgers.
lib tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodgers avoids it.
lib putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rodgers in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
lib throws a knee to the head but misses.
lib lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
lib tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
lib throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rodgers blocks it with crossed arms.
Rodgers can't get the takedown.
Rodgers tries to score a body lock takedown but lib shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
lib using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rodgers has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
lib misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rodgers.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for lib.
Rodgers is trying to work for a single leg takedown but lib pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rodgers looks gassed!
lib effectively controlling the action here.
lib landing knees to the head.
lib connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rodgers's face.
lib dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
lib with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
lib throws a knee to the head but misses.
lib landing knees to the head.
lib taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
lib is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rodgers is defending well for now.
Rodgers is working for takedown but lib is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rodgers tries to score a body lock takedown but lib shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
lib connects with a knee to the head.
Rodgers is working for takedown but lib is calmly controlling the position for now.
lib with an attempt at a knee that misses.
lib connects with a knee to the head.
Rodgers letting lib take a breather here.
lib using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
lib throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rodgers blocks it with crossed arms.
lib landing some nice looking knees to the body.
lib lands a knee to the head.
lib dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
lib lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rodgers managing to block the knees to the body from lib.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers takes a knee right on the jaw!
lib lands a good knee to the midsection. Rodgers won't want to take too many of those.
lib utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
lib unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
lib tries to land knees in the clinch but Rodgers avoids the damage to the body.
Rodgers avoiding damage as lib throws knees to the body.
lib connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rodgers's face.
lib looking to stall.
Rodgers avoiding damage as lib throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

vlatko lib dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

lib tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rodgers is able to avoid easily.
Rodgers keeps the fight on the outside.
Rodgers keeps the fight on the outside.
Rodgers lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
lib moves in looking to clinch but Rodgers pushes him off.
Rodgers throws an overhand right that lands on lib's shoulder, as lib tries to avoid the shot.
A slow jab from Rodgers misses its intended target.
Decent striking displayed by Rodgers there.
Rodgers circles away from the clinch attempt.
lib displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rodgers.

lib takes the fight into the clinch.
Rodgers takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rodgers is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
lib makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
lib crunches a lovely knee into Rodgers's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
lib working Rodgers over with knees to the body.
Rodgers is breathing heavily.
lib lands a nice knee to the body.
lib tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodgers avoids it.
lib stalling in the clinch but Rodgers improves position.
lib prevents the takedown attempt.
vlatko lib has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Rodgers.
Rodgers tries for a takedown but lib manages to get underhooks.
lib landing knees to the body.
lib scores a nice knee to the body.
lib lands a body shot.
lib using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
lib scores with a knee to the head.
lib crunches a lovely knee into Rodgers's ribcage.
lib lands a nice knee to the body.
vlatko lib has scored more points in the clinch so far.
lib lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from lib.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from lib.
lib taking a breather.
lib connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rodgers's face.
This has been an exciting period of action!
lib has Rodgers pressed against the cage.
lib lands a knee to the head.
Rodgers takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees in the clinch landing for lib.
lib is pushing Rodgers up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
lib putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rodgers in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by lib.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
lib trying to land knees to the body.
lib lands a knee to the body.
lib working Rodgers over with knees to the body.
lib scores a nice knee to the body.
lib throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rodgers tries for a takedown but lib manages to get underhooks.
lib tries to land a knee to the head but Rodgers blocks with his arms.
lib tries to land knees in the clinch but Rodgers avoids the damage to the body.
lib prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rodgers takes a knee right on the jaw!
lib lands a good knee to the midsection. Rodgers won't want to take too many of those.
lib is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
lib lands a knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers takes a knee right on the jaw!
lib misses with a punch to the body.
lib stalling in the clinch.
Rodgers on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rodgers takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rodgers changes levels and goes for a takedown here. lib fights it off and pushes away nicely.
vlatko lib is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
lib moves in looking to clinch but Rodgers pushes him off.

Rodgers feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
lib keeping full guard, as Rodgers tries to pass.
Rodgers with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

vlatko lib dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

lib buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rodgers throws a big shot that misses.

Rodgers looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rodgers not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rodgers wants to control but lib is keeping him busy.
Rodgers is looking to advance position but lib won't allow it.
lib wants to get back to his feet.
Rodgers wants to pass the guard but lib is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodgers thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing lib to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers thows a big elbow that misses.
lib wants to stand up but Rodgers is controlling him.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
lib cracks the inside of Rodgers's front leg.
lib tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rodgers is able to avoid easily.
lib is looking to clinch but Rodgers is avoiding it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from lib, right into the meat.
lib takes one to the chin there.
Rodgers pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rodgers avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A big left from Rodgers misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
lib stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and lib wants it to stay on the feet.
lib tries to clinch there but Rodgers circles away.
lib doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodgers circles away.

lib pushes Rodgers up against the cage in a clinch.
lib stalling the fight.
Rodgers takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rodgers takes a knee right on the jaw!
lib tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
lib misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rodgers.
lib misses with a knee to the head.
lib landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rodgers on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rodgers drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
lib utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers goes for a takedown in the clinch but lib prevents it.
vlatko lib has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Rodgers.
lib effectively controlling the action here.
lib with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
lib putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rodgers in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
lib tries a knee to the head but Rodgers blocks it.
lib tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodgers avoids it.
Rodgers wants a takedown.
lib lands a knee to the head.
Ken Rodgers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
lib fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rodgers is looking for a takedown up against the cage. lib gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rodgers is trying to drag lib to the mat but lib just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
lib putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rodgers in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
vlatko lib is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodgers drops down looking for an ankle pick but lib pulls his leg out and moves away.
lib tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodgers swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
lib uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rodgers.
Rodgers takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Knees in the clinch landing for lib.
lib unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rodgers lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

And that's the end of the fight!
vlatko lib showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for lib, 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... vlatko lib!