PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Rodriguez looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Overeem
vs
Rodriguez

195 cm
26
200 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

188 cm
24
205 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Australian Xtreme - 159 Energy + Stamina!
Hades ®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alistair Overeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ivan Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Saam Ante and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Overeem throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rodriguez was covering up waiting for the punch and Overeem finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Overeem throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodriguez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Overeem prevents Rodriguez from getting back to his feet.
Overeem wants to get up but he can't break Rodriguez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Overeem with a flurry of punches that miss.
Overeem wants to stand but Rodriguez is controlling his posture from full guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Overeem missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Overeem thows a big elbow that misses.
Overeem is looking to work some ground and pound but Rodriguez has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Overeem gets to his feet. Rodriguez looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Overeem misses with a few strikes there.
Overeem scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rodriguez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Overeem scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Alistair Overeem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodriguez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Overeem counters with an outside leg kick.
Rodriguez looks gassed!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Overeem's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Overeem getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Overeem lands a right hook to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Overeem!

Overeem fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rodriguez, pushing him back against the ropes.

Overeem pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Overeem 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.
Overeem trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rodriguez's guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rodriguez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Overeem with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Overeem in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Overeem is looking to stand up but Rodriguez won't let him.

Overeem gets to his feet - Rodriguez follows without any prompting.
Overeem swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Overeem clinches with his opponent.

Overeem breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rodriguez throws a sloppy head kick
and Overeem counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Overeem looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Rodriguez!
Overeem lands with some strikes.
Overeem raining down hammerfists from mount.
Overeem is in the full mount, landing strikes.
A nice elbow there by Overeem.
Overeem looking to finish Rodriguez with some ground and pound. This is bad for Rodriguez!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A nice elbow there by Overeem.
The referee warns Rodriguez that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Overeem throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rodriguez because Overeem loaded up on that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Rodriguez holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Overeem tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Rodriguez is bucking up trying to escape but Overeem cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Overeem sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Overeem with the ground and pound from mount.
Rodriguez is trying to stand up.

Overeem swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rodriguez is now in Overeem's guard. A big mistake from Overeem there, giving up the dominant position!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodriguez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez postures up.
Rodriguez passes Overeem's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Rodriguez thows a huge punch but Overeem dodges it nicely.
Rodriguez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rodriguez lands with a punch from half guard.
Rodriguez trying to pass the guard but Overeem defending well.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Overeem is trying to control but can't.
Overeem wants to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez moves into full mount! Overeem won't be happy about that!
Rodriguez throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Overeem tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rodriguez raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Overeem tries to get back to half guard but can't.
BOOM! Rodriguez connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Overeem on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Overeem tries to get out of the position.
Overeem in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Overeem working to try and regain half guard.
Rodriguez raining down shots from the mount!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rodriguez thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Overeem tries to lock up and control but Rodriguez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rodriguez lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Overeem avoids a series of strikes thrown by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Overeem really wants to buck Rodriguez off and get back to his feet.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez with shots to the head and body - Overeem looks very uncomfortable down there.
Overeem is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Rodriguez is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Overeem can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Overeem in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Overeem is squirming around, avoiding Rodriguez's attempts to control the action.
Rodriguez working the ground and pound effectively.
Overeem is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alistair Overeem dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodriguez tries to clinch up

and Overeem counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rodriguez's guard now.
Overeem wants to stand and escape but instead Rodriguez has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Rodriguez throws and elbow that misses. Overeem uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rodriguez's guard. Nice move by Overeem!

Rodriguez is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Overeem escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Overeem lands an overhand right.
Ivan Rodriguez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Overeem lands with an overhand left.
Overeem lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rodriguez's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick by Rodriguez misses
and Overeem counters with an outside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Overeem. That's going to slow Rodriguez down.
Overeem lands with a cross.

Overeem shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Overeem showed some decent athleticism there.

Overeem decides to stand and escape the position.

Rodriguez tries to keep at a distance but Overeem has taken the fight into the clinch.

Overeem escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rodriguez takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Overeem.
Overeem circles away from the clinch attempt
and Overeem counters with a nice body shot.
Rodriguez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rodriguez wants to clinch but Overeem slips to the side
and Overeem connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rodriguez stuffs the takedown.
Overeem is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rodriguez tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Overeem counters by clinching up.

Overeem manages to break the clinch.
Overeem's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rodriguez under the eye.
Overeem lands with a straight right. Rodriguez didn't see that one coming.
A punch lands to the side of Rodriguez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Overeem lands a leg kick that knocks Rodriguez off balance momentarily.
Overeem lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Overeem.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up
and Overeem counters with a series of strikes. Rodriguez will be more careful next time no doubt.
Overeem lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Overeem throws a leg kick which misses Rodriguez's front leg but catches the back leg as Rodriguez tries to avoid it.
Overeem throws a series of punches but Rodriguez avoids them all with ease.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Overeem.
Overeem scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rodriguez moves to clinch but Overeem breaks away
letting Overeem counter with a right hand.

Overeem closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rodriguez did well to prevent Overeem getting side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem wants to stand but Rodriguez has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Rodriguez kicks Overeem off and gets back to his feet.
Overeem connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Overeem shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rodriguez is trying to defend but Overeem finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Overeem with the ground and pound but Rodriguez uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Overeem landing some decent shots from guard.

Overeem drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rodriguez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rodriguez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rodriguez!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez tries to advance to mount but Overeem denies him.
Rodriguez has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Overeem!
Overeem tries to hold on but Rodriguez postures up.
Rodriguez scoring with strikes but Overeem is staying in there.
Overeem knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rodriguez on the ground.

That's six 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.
Overeem wants to use the ropes to get back to his feet here.
Rodriguez lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Rodriguez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Overeem is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rodriguez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Overeem really wants to buck Rodriguez off and get back to his feet.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rodriguez unloads with some shots from mount but Overeem bucks and avoids them well.
Rodriguez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rodriguez prevents Overeem from getting the reversal.
Rodriguez thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Rodriguez avoids the attempt from Overeem to control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Overeem is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rodriguez is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rodriguez working the ground and pound effectively.
Overeem tries to lock up and control but Rodriguez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rodriguez thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Rodriguez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Overeem is looking to escape.
Overeem is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez with shots to the head and body - Overeem looks very uncomfortable down there.
Overeem blocking the ground and pound.
Rodriguez throws some wild stikes that Overeem manages to avoid easily.
Overeem is trying to stand.
Rodriguez landing strikes, looking to finish!
A nice elbow there by Rodriguez.
Ivan Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Rodriguez moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Overeem has worked his arm free - good work by Overeem!

And that's the end of the fight!
Alistair Overeem showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Overeem 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight for Alistair Overeem!
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight for Alistair Overeem!
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight for Alistair Overeem!

Alistair Overeem wins by unanimous decision!