PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jos Rodri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Larry Wazzad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wazzad has chosen "Austrian Death Machine- Get To The Choppa" as his entrance music. Jos Rodri has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rodri
vs
Wazzad

150 cm
21
130 lbs
3 - 11 - 0

181 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jos Rodri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Larry Wazzad!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wazzad darts in looking for a takedown but Rodri gets double underhooks and turns Wazzad into the cage.
Rodri with a poor takedown

and Wazzad counters by clinching up.
Rodri prevents the takedown attempt.
Wazzad tries to pull guard but Rodri won't allow it.
Jos Rodri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Larry Wazzad.

Rodri pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rodri could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Rodri shoots in for a double leg but Wazzad sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wazzad slips a jab and a cross from Rodri.
Rodri shoots in for a double leg but Wazzad sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wazzad throws a counter combo.
Rodri fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rodri.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wazzad tries to keep at a distance but Rodri has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wazzad tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rodri smiles and moves away.

Rodri has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodri stalling in the clinch but Wazzad improves position.
Wazzad tries for a takedown. No joy.

Rodri gets control of Wazzad's arms and successfully pulls guard. Rodri will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Wazzad drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rodri dives on top into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wazzad lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Wazzad preventing the sweep.

Wazzad drops back looking for a leg! Rodri is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rodri manages to kick Wazzad off! Wazzad jumps back into Rodri's guard.
Rodri is looking to sweep but instead, Wazzad has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Wazzad is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Wazzad is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rodri has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rodri has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wazzad is working away from the top position though.
Rodri knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wazzad on the ground.
Rodri might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wazzad blocks the strikes from Rodri.

Wazzad decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Jos Rodri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Wazzad closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rodri quickly recovers to half guard.

Rodri makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Rodri stuffs the takedown attempt from Wazzad. Wazzad gets slowly back to his feet.
Rodri throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wazzad's waist but Wazzad gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rodri off to one side.
Rodri shoots in but Wazzad avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rodri has a takedown stuffed.
Rodri tries for a takedown but Wazzad sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wazzad stuffs the takedown.
Rodri shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Wazzad as he avoids it easily.
Rodri is breathing heavily.

Wazzad closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rodri to the mat! Rodri manages to get full guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Wazzad preventing the sweep.

Wazzad decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Wazzad shoots for a takedown but Rodri saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rodri throws a big counter combination but Wazzad scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Wazzad pushes Rodri away with a front kick.
Rodri misses with a takedown attempt
and Wazzad counters with a nice leg kick.

Rodri instigates a clinch.
Rodri tries to score a body lock takedown but Wazzad shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wazzad is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rodri to keep the fight standing.
Wazzad goes for a takedown attempt but Rodri pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Rodri clinches up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Larry Wazzad will probably get the nod.
That's time! Rodri's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Wazzad dives in and scores a takedown into Rodri's guard.
Wazzad preventing the sweep.
Rodri is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rodri keeping full guard, as Wazzad tries to pass.
Wazzad passes into half guard.

Wazzad is looking for a kimura here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodri tries to roll over but Wazzad keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodri punching from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rodri trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wazzad fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rodri tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Wazzad manages to circle out of the way.
Rodri tries for a takedown but Wazzad circles away easily
and Wazzad counters with a left and a right that stings Rodri.

Wazzad manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rodri on his heels. He'll look to pass Rodri's guard now, I'm sure.
Rodri is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rodri looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wazzad gets to his feet. Rodri looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Rodri fails with the takedown.
Wazzad feints a counter leg kick.
Rodri shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wazzad sprawls well. Wazzad wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodri gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jos Rodri. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Wazzad shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Wazzad was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rodri tries to bench press Wazzad off him but Wazzad keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodri wants to control but Wazzad postures up.
Rodri tries to buck Wazzad off but Wazzad is having none of it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodri is trying to work for a sweep but Wazzad has mounted him!
Rodri gets back to half guard.
Wazzad wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rodri keeps working.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Rodri closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Rodri jumps into guard, dragging Wazzad to the mat.
Wazzad trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodri wants to sweep but no luck.
Wazzad is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Wazzad wants to pass the guard but Rodri is keeping the position.
Rodri looking to control.
Rodri wants to sweep here but Wazzad controlling him for the moment.
Rodri keeping moving, preventing Wazzad from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wazzad pushing down on Rodri's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wazzad shoots in for a takedown but Rodri shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Larry Wazzad 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! This is the final round!

Wazzad darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Rodri has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Wazzad is on him like a limpet, forcing Rodri back against the cage.
Rodri tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Wazzad has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rodri gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Wazzad.
Rodri wants to break free but Wazzad has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rodri pulls guard.
Rodri pulls Wazzad in to control the position.
Wazzad trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wazzad works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodri is looking to escape.

Wazzad is working for a kimura but Rodri is defending it quite comfortably.
Rodri wants to improve his position but Wazzad is controlling well.
Wazzad trying to control the action but Rodri is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rodri misses with a takedown

and Wazzad counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wazzad pushes down on Rodri's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Rodri kicks Wazzad off and gets back to his feet.

Rodri gets caught flat footed, as Wazzad shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wazzad advances to half guard.
Rodri keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Wazzad seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rodri does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodri tries to roll over but Wazzad keeps him under control.

Wazzad looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Wazzad lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Wazzad is thwarting Rodri's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rodri is trying to get back to full guard.
Rodri has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wazzad is working away from the top position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodri keeps control of the position for the meantime.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Jos Rodri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Larry Wazzad is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rodri misses with a combination

and Wazzad counters with a takedown into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Larry Wazzad comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Wazzad 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Larry Wazzad!
Larry Wazzad seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.