PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ban-Ki Kim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rogelio Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kim comes to the cage accompanied by Guns N' Roses: Welcome To The Jungle. 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.

Kim
vs
Rodriguez

180 cm
28
174 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

180 cm
27
180 lbs
14 - 11 - 3

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ban-Ki Kim!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 3, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rogelio Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kim sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rodriguez somewhat.
Kim with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rodriguez walks into a jab.
Kim connects with a high kick.
Kim misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kim tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rodriguez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rodriguez dives in and grabs Kim's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kim pushes down on Rodriguez's head and hops out.
Kim tries to clinch there but Rodriguez circles away.
Kim lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rodriguez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rodriguez takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Kim.
Kim is looking to clinch.

Kim pushes Rodriguez up against the cage in a clinch.
Kim unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rodriguez lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Rodriguez blocks an elbow strike from Kim.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kim.
A head punch on the inside from Rodriguez fails to land.
Kim lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kim misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kim looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kim tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodriguez avoids it.
Rodriguez struggles to land a body shot inside as Kim controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kim landing knees to the body.
Kim with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kim is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rodriguez is defending well for now.
Rodriguez misses with a hook to the ribs.

Rodriguez gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Kim regains guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kim is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rodriguez is controlling him.
Rodriguez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kim is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rodriguez throwing strikes from guard but Kim blocks nicely.
Kim working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodriguez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control but Kim is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kim is keeping the position for now.
Kim manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rodriguez manages to get himself to full guard.
Rodriguez is trying to keep Kim in close.
Kim looking to pass the guard.
Rodriguez being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kim avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kim wants to control from the top but Rodriguez keeps moving.
Rodriguez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kim tries to roll over but Rodriguez keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ban-Ki Kim dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kim tries to clinch up.

Kim has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kim misses with some punches.
Rodriguez blocks the elbow strike.
Rodriguez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kim throws an elbow but it misses.
Rodriguez scores with a nice hook to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kim.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kim throws an elbow but misses.
Kim lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rodriguez takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim tries a knee to the head but Rodriguez blocks it.
Kim blocks an uppercut.
Rodriguez lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kim is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Rodriguez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kim stalling the fight.
Kim trying to stall but Rodriguez improves his position.
Rodriguez controlling the action here for a moment.
Kim tries to land a knee to the head but Rodriguez blocks with his arms.
Kim throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez avoiding damage as Kim throws knees to the body.
Rodriguez takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Rogelio Rodriguez has been cut.
Kim with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rodriguez dodges an elbow strike from Kim.
Kim is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kim looking to throw knees to the head but Rodriguez is blocking nicely.
Kim pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rodriguez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rodriguez blocks an elbow strike.
Kim is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kim looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim lands an elbow that stopped Rodriguez in his tracks for a moment.
Nice elbow from Kim.
Kim taking a breather.
Kim tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kim tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodriguez avoids it.
Rodriguez blocks the elbow strike.
Rodriguez managing to block the knees to the body from Kim.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rodriguez.
Ban-Ki Kim has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rodriguez wants a takedown but no success here.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Rodriguez fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kim is pressed up against the cage. Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kim down to the mat. Kim avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ban-Ki Kim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rogelio Rodriguez.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kim throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Kim throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kim pushes Rodriguez away with a front kick.
Kim throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown but Kim manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rodriguez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ban-Ki Kim is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kim throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
Kim misses with a body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kim tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ban-Ki Kim dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rogelio Rodriguez's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kim takes the fight into the clinch.
Rodriguez tries to throw a body punch but Kim avoids it by throwing Rodriguez back against the cage.
Come on Kim - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rodriguez slowing the pace effectively.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rodriguez scores with a shoulder strike.
Kim gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kim is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rodriguez blocks an elbow strike from Kim.
Kim has Rodriguez pushed against the cage.
Rodriguez can't find room to land a body shot as Kim controls the action.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kim throws an elbow but misses.
Kim lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rodriguez has Kim pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kim manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ban-Ki Kim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rogelio Rodriguez.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kim.
Kim missing with knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Rodriguez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kim throws an elbow but misses.
Kim misses with a knee to the head.
Kim pushes off an throws an elbow but Rodriguez leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kim tries a knee to the head but Rodriguez blocks it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kim throws an elbow but misses.
Kim is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Rodriguez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kim prevents a body shot from Rodriguez.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kim stalling in the clinch but Rodriguez improves position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rodriguez misses with some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kim just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rodriguez's brow.
Rodriguez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kim is trying to maintain a safe position but Rodriguez gets an underhook and turns Kim into the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kim.
Come on Kim - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Rodriguez makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kim is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Rodriguez takes an elbow to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rodriguez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kim lands a good knee to the midsection. Rodriguez won't want to take too many of those.
Kim tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rodriguez avoids it.
Rodriguez swings wildly with an uppercut but Kim uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rodriguez can't find room to land a body shot as Kim controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kim.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kim putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rodriguez in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kim missing with knees to the body.
Kim throws an elbow but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ban-Ki Kim clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Rogelio Rodriguez's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rodriguez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rodriguez takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kim misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kim lands a high kick!
Kim tries a head kick but it misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kim throws an elbow that misses.
Kim looking to slow down the pace here.
Rodriguez scores with a shot to the side of Kim's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim is pressed up against the cage. Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kim down to the mat. Kim avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kim throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rodriguez.
Kim throws a quick inside leg kick.

Rodriguez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rodriguez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Rodriguez is working for a submission of some sort.
Rodriguez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rodriguez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kim does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rodriguez not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez uses his free foot to push down on Kim's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kim.
Kim wants to control but Rodriguez is having none of it.
Rodriguez wants to control the pace but Kim is squirming around nicely.
Kim can't escape the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodriguez lands a big elbow.

Rodriguez is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kim can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Rodriguez sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Kim is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim is trying to stand up.
Kim is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Rodriguez thowing shots but they're missing.
Rodriguez is stalling here but it's allowed Kim to get half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kim is trying to get back to full guard.
Kim looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rodriguez tries to pass to full mount but Kim defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rodriguez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rodriguez throwing shots but Kim is blocking nicely.
Kim keeping control of the position.
Rodriguez wants to free his trapped foot but Kim is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rodriguez slows the pace down in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodriguez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rogelio Rodriguez dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Rogelio Rodriguez's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kim throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Kim throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ban-Ki Kim is winning the standup battle so far.
Rodriguez fails to land the takedown.
Kim misses the jab.
Kim tries a head kick but it misses.
Rodriguez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kim is fending him off so far but Rodriguez persists. Nope, Kim circles away and we're back to standing.
Ban-Ki Kim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rogelio Rodriguez.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Kim looks for the body kick but Rodriguez saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim lands with a slapping head kick.
Rodriguez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kim slaps away a takedown attempt from Rodriguez, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Kim closes the distance and clinches.
Kim is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rodriguez is keeping busy.
Kim missing with knees to the body.
Rogelio Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kim throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rodriguez blocks it with crossed arms.
Kim effectively controlling the action here.
Kim lands a knee to the body.
Rodriguez misses with some punches.
Kim missing with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kim.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kim throws an elbow but misses.
Kim is struggling to control the position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kim just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rodriguez's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kim obliges.
Kim lands a damaging elbow.
Rodriguez lands a body shot.
Kim misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kim is trying to stall.
Kim throws an elbow but it misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Kim.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kim.
Kim looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez tries to work over Kim's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kim lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Rodriguez turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rodriguez manages to end up in side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodriguez is trying to ground and pound but Kim uses the momentary lack of control by Rodriguez to regain half guard.
Rodriguez working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kim moves into full guard.
Rodriguez works over Kim with some ground and pound from guard.
Rodriguez scoring with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ban-Ki Kim showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kim has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 49:46
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ban-Ki Kim!
Ban-Ki Kim is the new welterweight champion!
A victorious Ban-Ki Kim thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.