PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jason Varner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giovanni Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodriguez has chosen Comprendes Mendez as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Jason Varner has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Jason Varner seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Varner
vs
Rodriguez

166 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
18
135 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jason Varner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Giovanni Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Varner misses with a takedown attempt - Rodriguez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Varner shoots in for a double leg but Rodriguez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rodriguez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Varner's waist but Varner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rodriguez off to one side.
Varner misses with a takedown

and Rodriguez counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Varner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez looks gassed!
Varner tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rodriguez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Varner knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Varner manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Varner is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rodriguez sees it coming and defends easily.
Varner trying to pass the guard but Rodriguez defending well.

Rodriguez is defending against the submission attempts here by Varner.

Varner 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Varner is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Varner 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.

Varner is trying to work for a kimura but Rodriguez is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Varner 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.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Varner misses with a takedown

and Rodriguez counters with a nice double leg into side control. Varner won't be happy with that.
Varner tries to bench press Rodriguez off him but Rodriguez keeps the position.

Rodriguez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Varner knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Rodriguez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Rodriguez tries for a kimura but Varner is defending well.
Varner is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Varner is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Rodriguez pulls his head out easily.

Varner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Varner looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Varner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Rodriguez seems to be working for a kimura but Varner defends the submission attempt.

Varner is defending against the submission attempts here by Rodriguez.
Varner knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rodriguez on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Varner is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Rodriguez pulls his head out easily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Varner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rodriguez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Some wild striking there from Rodriguez.
Varner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Rodriguez counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Varner had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Rodriguez is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Varner Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Rodriguez's back instead.
Varner is trying to stick to Rodriguez's back but Rodriguez is turning into Varner. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Varner's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Rodriguez.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Varner looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rodriguez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giovanni Rodriguez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Varner has his takedown stuffed

and Rodriguez counters with a shoot takedown. Varner fights it but they end up in guard.

Rodriguez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rodriguez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rodriguez looking to pass the guard.

Varner looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Varner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Rodriguez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Varner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Rodriguez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rodriguez gets to his feet - Varner follows without any prompting.
Varner fails with the takedown

and Rodriguez counters with a shoot takedown. Varner fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Varner. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Varner looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Varner is looking for a triangle but Rodriguez pushes his legs off easily.
Giovanni Rodriguez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rodriguez stopping the sweep attempt from Varner.

Rodriguez stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Varner fails with the takedown

and Rodriguez counters with a shoot takedown. Varner fights it but they end up in guard.
Rodriguez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Rodriguez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Rodriguez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rodriguez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Varner looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Varner working for a triangle but Rodriguez defends it easily.

Varner looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.

Varner escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rodriguez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Varner throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rodriguez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Varner shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rodriguez counters with a shoot takedown. Varner fights it but they end up in guard.

Varner is working an open guard so Rodriguez takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Varner tries for a takedown but Rodriguez circles away easily
and Rodriguez counters with a two punch combo.
Varner with a poor takedown

so Rodriguez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Varner working for a triangle but Rodriguez defends it easily.

Varner has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Rodriguez has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Rodriguez manages to stand up with Varner still on his back. Eventually Varner drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varner shoots and misses

and Rodriguez counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Varner is looking for a triangle but Rodriguez pushes his legs off easily.

Rodriguez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Rodriguez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Varner throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Varner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rodriguez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rodriguez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Varner is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giovanni Rodriguez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodriguez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Varner actively working from the bottom here.

Varner looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Varner actively working from the bottom here.

Rodriguez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rodriguez prevents Varner from improving his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodriguez seems to be working for a kimura but Varner defends the submission attempt.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Varner misses with a takedown

and Rodriguez counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Rodriguez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Varner sees it coming and defends easily.

Rodriguez 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.

Rodriguez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Varner is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Rodriguez pulls his head out easily.

Rodriguez decides to stand and escape the position.
Varner shoots and misses

and Rodriguez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rodriguez.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Varner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Varner looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.

Varner escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rodriguez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Varner is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Varner looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez preventing the sweep.

Varner looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.

Rodriguez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Varner shoots and misses

and Rodriguez counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Varner!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Varner. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rodriguez gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Varner misses with a takedown attempt

and Rodriguez counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Varner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Varner looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Varner looking for submissions off his back.

Rodriguez has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Varner defend it? Rodriguez steps over the head and cranks it - Varner is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Rodriguez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Giovanni Rodriguez!