PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Phillip Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Rhodes
vs
Alves

186 cm
18
206 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Phillip Rhodes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thiago Alves!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Bruno Hogan and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alves scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rhodes in his tracks.
Rhodes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Alves shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rhodes pinned against the cage. Rhodes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rhodes moves in looking to clinch but Alves pushes him off.
Alves circles away from the clinch attempt.
A jab from Alves does it's job there.
A head kick misses from Alves.
Rhodes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Alves moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Alves gets caught flat footed, as Rhodes shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Alves looking to control.
Alves is looking to stand up but Rhodes isn't so interested in that idea.

Alves wriggles free and stands up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Danga de danga de dang - Alves scores with a four punch combination!
Alves circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rhodes misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alves gets the takedown into side control.

Alves stands up and beckons Rhodes to his feet.
Rhodes is breathing heavily.
Alves scores with a head kick.
Thiago Alves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rhodes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Alves paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alves blocks a head kick by Rhodes.

Alves drives through with a takedown into guard.

Alves stands up from Rhodes's guard - Alves perhaps looking for a knockout.
Good standup being displayed there by Alves as he connects with a hook.
Alves throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rhodes on the side of the head.
Rhodes tries to land a front kick but Alves steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Alves looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alves throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Alves with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Alves connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
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!

Rhodes gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Alves pushes Rhodes away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rhodes gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Alves sneaks out the side door and pushes Rhodes away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Rhodes drives through and clinches with Alves against the cage.
Rhodes keeps control of Alves as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Rhodes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Donk. Alves catches Rhodes right on the button with a cross.
Rhodes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rhodes throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Alves counters with a stiff right hand.
Rhodes shoots in looking for a takedown. Alves tries to sprawl out of it but Rhodes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Alves manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Phillip Rhodes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alves throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rhodes's head.
Rhodes shoots in but no luck this time.
Alves connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rhodes swivels and escapes.
Alves cracks Rhodes with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rhodes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rhodes throws the kick towards the body but Alves avoids it.

Rhodes fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Alves sprawls well initially but Rhodes persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rhodes thows a huge punch but Alves dodges it nicely.
Alves is staying active underneath Rhodes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Alves has hold of Rhodes's hands but Rhodes slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Alves makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Rhodes has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Alves finds it's way round the side to connect with Rhodes's head.
Rhodes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Alves throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rhodes stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Alves looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rhodes is fending him off so far but Alves persists. Nope, Rhodes circles away and we're back to standing.
Donk. Rhodes catches Alves right on the button with a cross.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alves kicks off Rhodes and gets to his feet.
Rhodes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rhodes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Alves fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rhodes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alves connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rhodes tries to clinch up but Alves circles away and keeps his distance.
Alves might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Rhodes scores with a takedown into Alves's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Alves pushes Rhodes off and gets back to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rhodes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rhodes closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Rhodes decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Rhodes is looking to clinch but Alves is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thiago Alves will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rhodes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rhodes slips under a jab.
Phillip Rhodes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alves looks to land a combination but Rhodes avoids it well.
Nice body punch from Alves.
Alves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rhodes.
Rhodes shoots in looking for a takedown. Alves tries to sprawl out of it but Rhodes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Alves manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Alves changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rhodes ducks right into an uppercut from Alves.
Alves stuffs the takedown.
Alves lands with a shot to the body.
A nice combination there by Alves.
Alves lands a two punch combo.
Alves fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rhodes on the side of the head.
Alves lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Alves lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Alves shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves controlling from the full mount.
Rhodes is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Alves gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Thiago Alves seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Alves, right into the meat.
Rhodes tries for a takedown but Alves sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Phillip Rhodes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rhodes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alves.
Alves is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Rhodes closes the distance and clinches up with Alves, looking for a takedown. Rhodes pushes Alves against the cage but Alves circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Alves uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rhodes attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Alves cracks a nice hook into Rhodes's ribs.
Rhodes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rhodes closes the distance and clinches up with Alves, looking for a takedown. Rhodes pushes Alves against the cage but Alves circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rhodes takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Alves stuffs the takedown attempt from Rhodes. Rhodes gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves slips a jab and a cross from Rhodes.

Rhodes gets caught flat footed, as Alves shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rhodes wants to sweep but no luck.
Alves tries to stand but Rhodes is controlling from the bottom.
Rhodes keeping moving, preventing Alves from controlling successfully.

Alves stands and steps away. Rhodes gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Rhodes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Alves misses with a head kick.
Rhodes connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rhodes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Alves's waist but Alves gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rhodes off to one side.
Rhodes falls off balance throwing a combination
and Alves counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A leg kick checked by Alves.
Rhodes closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rhodes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Alves tries to keep at a distance but Rhodes has taken the fight into the clinch.

Alves manages to break the clinch.
Alves lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rhodes tries to clinch but Alves is having none of it.
Rhodes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alves falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rhodes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rhodes.
Rhodes is standing up over Alves. Alves looks to escape but Rhodes dives into side control.

Alves sneaks out the side door and pushes Rhodes away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Rhodes is looking to land body kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes tries to close the distance and clinch but Alves swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A combination from Rhodes does no damage.
Rhodes takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rhodes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rhodes looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Alves looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alves takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rhodes pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Alves swats away the attempt to clinch by Rhodes.
Alves scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rhodes misses with a low kick.
Alves stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rhodes wants to clinch but Alves slips to the side
and Alves counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alves swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rhodes.
Alves lands a two punch combo.
Rhodes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alves swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Alves throws a jab when Rhodes was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Alves showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Rhodes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rhodes misses with a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rhodes.
Alves tries a head kick but it misses.
Rhodes wants to clinch.
Rhodes drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Alves stuffs the takedown attempt from Rhodes. Rhodes gets slowly back to his feet.
Alves lands a jab to Rhodes's midsection.
Alves lands with a right hand.
Alves connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rhodes's hands.
Rhodes shoots for a double leg takedown but Alves sprawls well. He's pushed Rhodes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Alves misses with a few strikes there.
Alves lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rhodes backs up against the cage.
The crowd cheers as Alves lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rhodes doesn't seem phased though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alves throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Rhodes moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alves breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alves throws a lazy head kick
and Rhodes counters with a left and a right that stings Alves.
Alves lands a jab to Rhodes's midsection.
Alves lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Some bone on bone action there as Alves checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Alves lands a jab to the head.
Alves tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rhodes was well out of range. Poor timing from Alves.
Rhodes tries to clinch
and Alves connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Alves throws a combination. Rhodes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rhodes lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rhodes throws a head kick that misses
and Alves cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Rhodes instigates a clinch.
Rhodes stalling against the cage.
Rhodes keeps control of Alves as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Alves lands with a light punch inside.
Rhodes lands a nice elbow.
Alves is trying to break the clinch but Rhodes has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rhodes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Rhodes scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rhodes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Alves is trying to stand.

Alves has one foot on Rhodes's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Rhodes moves in looking to clinch but Alves pushes him off.
Alves's corner calls for a 1-2. Alves obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rhodes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rhodes throws a body kick the misses
and Alves counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rhodes tries to bum rush Alves with a series of wild strikes but Alves uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rhodes shoots in but Alves avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Phillip Rhodes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alves jabs at Rhodes's body.
Rhodes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rhodes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Alves swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Alves.
Rhodes ducks under a wild hook from Alves.
Rhodes shoots in for a takedown but Alves shows good takedown defense.
Rhodes dodges the punch combination from Alves.
Alves stuffs the takedown.
Rhodes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd cheers as Alves lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rhodes doesn't seem phased though.
Rhodes shoots for a double leg takedown but Alves sprawls well. He's pushed Rhodes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rhodes with a poor takedown
and Alves counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rhodes misses with a double jab.
A punch combination from Alves misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Alves darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rhodes blocks a head kick by Alves.
Rhodes misses with a takedown attempt - Alves sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alves throws a series of punches but Rhodes avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rhodes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Alves but Alves pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Rhodes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rhodes swings wildly with an uppercut but Alves uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alves is trying to break the clinch but Rhodes has him pressed against the cage.
Rhodes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Alves fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Alves moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Nice shot by Alves.

Alves scores with a takedown into Rhodes's guard.

Alves gets to his feet. Rhodes looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Phillip Rhodes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rhodes throws an overhand right that lands on Alves's shoulder, as Alves tries to avoid the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Alves comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Alves 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Alves!