PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alex Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Aldo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Rodriguez
vs
Aldo

192 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
26
184 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alex Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jose Aldo!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aldo looks to land a combination but Rodriguez avoids it well.
Rodriguez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Aldo.
Rodriguez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Aldo.
Rodriguez is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rodriguez misses with a low kick.
Aldo keeps the fight on the outside.
Aldo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rodriguez throws a push kick but Aldo slaps the foot to one side.
Aldo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice body punch from Aldo.
Aldo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rodriguez doesn't seem bothered though.
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch but Aldo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rodriguez attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Aldo throws a series of punches but Rodriguez avoids them all with ease.
Aldo misses with a takedown attempt - Rodriguez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alex Rodriguez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Aldo.

Rodriguez has managed to clinch.
Aldo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rodriguez's elbow.
Aldo misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aldo checks the leg kick.
Rodriguez throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Aldo lands a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Aldo. Those never looked like landing.
Aldo throws a series of punches but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Aldo misses with a takedown attempt - Rodriguez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aldo looks gassed!
A looping hook to the body misses from Aldo. Rodriguez does a little dance to reset his feet.

Rodriguez closes the distance and clinches.

Rodriguez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aldo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aldo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rodriguez pinned against the cage. Rodriguez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rodriguez throws a push kick but Aldo slaps the foot to one side.
Aldo swings for the body but Rodriguez moves out of range.

Rodriguez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez drags the fight down to the ground.
Rodriguez wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodriguez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aldo is one step ahead there.
Rodriguez wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodriguez looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alex Rodriguez has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Aldo feints a jab promting Rodriguez to slip. Aldo then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Rodriguez slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rodriguez misses with a kick to the body.
Aldo shoots in but Rodriguez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Aldo blocks the body kick.

Rodriguez gets a clinch.
Rodriguez prevents a body shot from Aldo.
Rodriguez working hard to break the clinch.
Aldo misses with a body punch.

Rodriguez has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Aldo uses from the top position.
Rodriguez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rodriguez is looking to stand up but Aldo isn't so interested in that idea.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rodriguez holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez controls Aldo momentarily but Aldo frees himself.
Rodriguez wants to stand up but Aldo is controlling him.

Alex Rodriguez has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Rodriguez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aldo has a takedown stuffed.
Rodriguez leaves Aldo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alex Rodriguez will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rodriguez drives through and clinches with Aldo against the cage.
Aldo misses with a hook to the ribs.

Rodriguez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rodriguez moves into the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Rodriguez - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rodriguez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rodriguez blocks a body shot from Aldo.
Rodriguez wants a takedown.
Aldo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rodriguez is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Aldo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Aldo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Aldo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rodriguez's elbow.
Aldo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rodriguez wants a takedown but no success here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rodriguez prevents a body shot from Aldo.
Rodriguez has had enough of the clinch but Aldo keeps him there for the moment.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but Aldo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Aldo misses with a punch on the inside.
Aldo tries a body shot but Rodriguez blocks it.
Rodriguez prevents a body shot from Aldo.
Rodriguez prevents a body shot from Aldo.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but Aldo won't allow it.
Aldo misses with a body punch.
Aldo tries a body shot but Rodriguez blocks it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aldo throws a shot to the body.
Aldo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Aldo is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rodriguez rather than just go for the knockout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rodriguez gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Aldo trying to control but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Aldo trying to control but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aldo drops back looking for a leg! Rodriguez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rodriguez manages to kick Aldo off! Aldo jumps back into Rodriguez's guard.
Aldo advances position into side control!

Aldo has hold of Rodriguez's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Rodriguez tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Aldo cranks the arm and Rodriguez screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Rodriguez, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Jose Aldo!