PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aatreya Mahrishi (ranked 1444 p4p, 2141 weight class) and Nick Rodriguez (ranked 194 p4p, 286 weight class). Mahrishi comes into the arena with On the Precipe of Defeat blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mahrishi
vs
Rodriguez

191 cm
25
205
7 - 3 - 0

190 cm
24
220
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Aatreya Mahrishi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nick Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Jorge Garcia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez throws an off balance right hand
and Mahrishi counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Rodriguez is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Nick Rodriguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodriguez throws a body punch but Mahrishi moves out of range.
As Rodriguez looks to move away, Mahrishi throws a big counter combo but Rodriguez just gets out of the way.
We've been informed that Rodriguez has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Mahrishi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rodriguez shoots for a double leg takedown but Mahrishi sprawls well. He's pushed Rodriguez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mahrishi throws a big counter combination but Rodriguez scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Rodriguez looks to land a left hand but Mahrishi moved out of range nicely.
Rodriguez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mahrishi seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Mahrishi avoids the body shot from Rodriguez.
Mahrishi cracks Rodriguez with a right hand to the side of the head.

It looks like Nick Rodriguez has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mahrishi tries to clinch up but Rodriguez circles away and keeps his distance.
Rodriguez throws a series of punches but Mahrishi moves out of range.
Mahrishi defending well as Rodriguez loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Rodriguez as he connects with a hook.
Rodriguez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Rodriguez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Mahrishi is looking for a sweep.
Rodriguez tries to move to mount but Mahrishi blocks the move with his legs.
Mahrishi wants to get back to his feet but Rodriguez drags him back down.
Rodriguez is putting a hurting on Mahrishi here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez tries to move to mount but Mahrishi blocks the move with his legs.
Mahrishi gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodriguez trying to control but Mahrishi is having none of it.
Mahrishi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rodriguez on the ground.
Rodriguez fails to move to back control.
Mahrishi wants to hold on but Rodriguez pushes him away.

Rodriguez wants to finish this one by submission but Mahrishi is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez takes Mahrishi's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Mahrishi is in trouble.
Good control from Rodriguez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Mahrishi is trying to stand back up.
Rodriguez is looking to control Mahrishi but Mahrishi is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Rodriguez patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mahrishi fending off the submission attempt from Rodriguez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mahrishi is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Rodriguez gets his way!
Rodriguez gets his hands free as Mahrishi looks to control.

Rodriguez tightening his grip on Mahrishi, looking for the choke.

Rodriguez 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, Mahrishi has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Rodriguez struggling to keep hold of the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Rodriguez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nick Rodriguez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mahrishi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodriguez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rodriguez misses with a wild body shot.
Rodriguez throws a head kick that misses.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice cross by Rodriguez.
Mahrishi throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
Rodriguez feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahrishi slips under a jab from Rodriguez.
A combination from Rodriguez does no damage.
Mahrishi takes one on the button.
Nick Rodriguez seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahrishi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mahrishi wants it to stay on the feet.

Mahrishi lands a big head kick that sends Rodriguez tumbling to the mat! Mahrishi takes a step backwards and waves Rodriguez back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Rodriguez is rocked!
Rodriguez throws a body shot but no joy.
Rodriguez is still on wobbly legs! Can Mahrishi finish him?
Rodriguez walks right into a perfectly timed right hook and goes down hard! He's out cold! The ref cradles Rodriguez limp body while Mahrishi jumps on to the cage and waves to the roaring crowd. Wow that was just a brutal knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Aatreya Mahrishi!
Aatreya Mahrishi took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Arcticus University: London for their support in the buildup to the fight.