PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Rodgers (ranked 4602 p4p, 4614 weight class) and Ko Kingz (ranked 581 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rodgers
vs
Kingz

187 cm
25
218
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
220
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Rodgers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ko Kingz!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kingz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rodgers sprawls well initially but Kingz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kingz stalling away here and it's allowed Rodgers to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Kingz trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Rodgers manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Kingz has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Rodgers has passed into side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kingz can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kingz is trying to work for a sweep but Rodgers has mounted him!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kingz wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Kingz trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Kingz keeps the fight on the ground as Rodgers tries to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingz staying busy and making it hard for Rodgers to control.
Kingz wants to control his opponent's hands but Rodgers gets his hands free.
Rodgers is trying to stand.
Kingz can't escape the position.
Rodgers biding his time, looking for the opening.
Kingz trying to control the position but Rodgers manages to sink in the hooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kingz rolls, trying to escape but Rodgers keeps control of the position.
Kingz keeps the fight on the ground as Rodgers tries to escape.
Kingz wants to get back to his feet.
Rodgers is hanging on to Kingz's back as he tries to escape.
Rodgers biding his time, looking for the opening.
Rodgers is not going to allow Kingz to sit and survive in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingz rolls, trying to escape but Rodgers keeps control of the position.
Kingz keeps the fight on the ground as Rodgers tries to escape.
Kingz trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Rodgers gets to his feet! The crowd go wild in anticipation of a knockout!

Kingz closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kingz lands in his opponent's guard.
Rodgers keeping moving, preventing Kingz from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kingz won't allow Rodgers to get back to his feet.
Kingz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kingz trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodgers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kingz tries to free his leg and advance position but Rodgers is retaining full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Rodgers dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kingz throws an off balance right hand
and Rodgers counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kingz misses the body punch
enabling Rodgers to counter with a crisp jab.

Kingz gets a clinch.

Kingz pulls Rodgers into guard.
Kingz wants to get back to his feet but Rodgers passes into half guard.
Kingz is looking to get back to is feet but Rodgers passes into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodgers avoids the strikes from the bottom by Kingz.
Kingz can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingz tries to control but Rodgers manages to take his back.
Rodgers is trying to stand.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kingz tries to break free.
Kingz is still trying to improve position.
Rodgers just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers seems like he's trying to stand.
Kingz is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Kingz tries to escape but Rodgers has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Kingz keeps trying to improve his position.
Kingz is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kingz trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Rodgers controlling the positon.
Rodgers wants to stand up but Kingz is stuck to his back.
Kingz trying to control the hands but Rodgers won't let him.
Rodgers has the hooks in. Kingz is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rodgers can't escape the position, to get back to his feet.
I really don't envy Kingz right now.
Rodgers wants to stand back up.
Kingz trying to control but not successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kingz is trying to break free.
Rodgers not allowing Kingz to control his hands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Rodgers dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kingz rushes Rodgers and presses him up against the cage.

Kingz is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Rodgers can't fight it off and eventually Kingz manages to take the fight to the floor. Rodgers looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Kingz decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rodgers, up you get!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kingz moves into range and clinches up with Rodgers.

Kingz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kingz gets a double leg takedown into Rodgers's guard.

Rodgers pushes Kingz off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mike Rodgers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kingz clinches with his opponent.

Rodgers is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kingz is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Rodgers to the mat. Rodgers regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Kingz trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodgers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kingz looking to sit in guard and control but Rodgers gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kingz wants to hit a sweep here but Rodgers passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kingz there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kingz is working to get back to half guard.
Kingz reaches up to try and control the position but Rodgers seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Kingz rolls and tries to escape and now Rodgers has his back!
Rodgers wants to stand back up.
What can Kingz do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Kingz wants to control his opponent's hands but Rodgers gets his hands free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingz might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rodgers haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Rodgers controls the position.
Rodgers trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Kingz is in bad spot here.
Kingz trying to control but not successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rodgers keeps control of the position as Kingz tries to break free.

Rodgers decides to stand up, even though he's got his opponent's back.

Kingz gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kingz slows down the pace here.
Ko Kingz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodgers just leaning against Kingz, taking a breather.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mike Rodgers.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rodgers, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Rodgers!