PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Urijah Phaber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alberto Rodrigues (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phaber comes to the cage accompanied by Monster. Alberto Rodrigues has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Phaber
vs
Rodrigues

171 cm
22
145 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

171 cm
22
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Urijah Phaber!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alberto Rodrigues!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigues shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Phaber but Phaber pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rodrigues misses with a double jab.
Rodrigues throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Phaber.
Phaber stuffs the takedown attempt from Rodrigues. Rodrigues gets slowly back to his feet.
Phaber tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodrigues swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Phaber showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rodrigues.
Alberto Rodrigues seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Phaber has managed to clinch.
Rodrigues throws a punch but it's blocked by Phaber.

Rodrigues is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Phaber can't fight it off and eventually Rodrigues manages to take the fight to the floor. Phaber looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Phaber wants to get back to his feet but Rodrigues is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rodrigues is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phaber wants to stand but Rodrigues is controlling the position.
Rodrigues is looking to stand up but Phaber won't let him.
Phaber keeping moving, preventing Rodrigues from controlling successfully.
Phaber is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rodrigues is controlling him.
Rodrigues looks gassed!

Phaber scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Phaber tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rodrigues paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rodrigues throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Phaber scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Phaber is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rodrigues misses with a few strikes there.
Rodrigues slips a jab and a cross from Phaber.
A combination from Phaber does no damage.

Rodrigues bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Phaber is trying to buck Rodrigues off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigues stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Rodrigues swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Phaber counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rodrigues moves away from the strike by Phaber.
Rodrigues throws a combination that misses
and Phaber counters with an outside leg kick.
Rodrigues throws a combination that misses

and Phaber counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Phaber.
Rodrigues misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rodrigues lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Phaber backwards.

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.
Phaber has had enough of the clinch but Rodrigues keeps him there for the moment.
Rodrigues goes for a takedown attempt but Phaber pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Urijah Phaber has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alberto Rodrigues.
Rodrigues throws a left and a right that both miss
and Phaber counters with a big head kick but Rodrigues shrugs it off.
Rodrigues throws a combination that misses
and Phaber counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rodrigues falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rodrigues takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rodrigues misses with a double jab
and Phaber counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rodrigues has a takedown stuffed.

Rodrigues shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Phaber napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Phaber is trying to buck Rodrigues off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alberto Rodrigues will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rodrigues throws a combination that misses
and Phaber counters with a left and a right that stings Rodrigues.
Rodrigues throws a left and a right that both miss
and Phaber counters with a two punch combo.
Rodrigues keeps the fight on the outside.

Phaber darts in and clinches Rodrigues up against the cage.
Rodrigues tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phaber just stands there and leans against the cage.
Phaber tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Phaber with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Phaber looking to throw knees to the head but Rodrigues is blocking nicely.
Phaber with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rodrigues scores with a shoulder strike.

Phaber escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rodrigues falls off balance throwing a combination
and Phaber counters with a low kick, right behind Rodrigues 's knee.
Rodrigues uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phaber.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues throws a combination that misses
and Phaber counters with a stiff right hand.
Rodrigues misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Phaber throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rodrigues.
Rodrigues misses with a combination
and Phaber counters with a two punch combo.
Rodrigues misses with a double jab
and Phaber counters with a straight right hand.
Rodrigues throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phaber counters with a thumping low kick.
Urijah Phaber is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodrigues misses with a double jab
and Phaber counters with a stiff right hand.
Rodrigues misses with a combination

and Phaber counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Phaber.

That's two 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.

Rodrigues pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Phaber prevents Rodrigues from getting back to his feet.

Rodrigues pushes Phaber off and scrambles back to his feet.
Phaber fails with an attempt to clinch.
Phaber is looking to clinch.
Rodrigues falls off balance throwing a combination
and Phaber counters with a stiff right hand.
Rodrigues throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phaber counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rodrigues misses with a double jab
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Phaber counters with a three punch combo that has Rodrigues backing up. Rodrigues nods at Phaber to acknowledge the strikes.
Phaber misses with a looping left.
Phaber tests Rodrigues's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rodrigues throws a combination that misses
and Phaber counters with a thumping low kick.
Rodrigues throws a combination that misses
and Phaber cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rodrigues swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Phaber counters with a head kick. That will keep Rodrigues thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rodrigues falls off balance throwing a combination
and Phaber makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Rodrigues really felt that one!
Rodrigues misses with a double jab

and Phaber moves into the clinch.
Rodrigues working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

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.
Rodrigues goes for a takedown in the clinch but Phaber prevents it.
Rodrigues tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phaber just stands there and leans against the cage.
Urijah Phaber has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alberto Rodrigues.
Rodrigues jumps guard but Phaber stands there with Rodrigues around his waist. Rodrigues gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rodrigues fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rodrigues fails to pull guard.
A short right from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phaber just stands there and leans against the cage.
Phaber misses with a knee to the head.
Phaber prevents the takedown attempt.
Phaber working hard to break the clinch.
Rodrigues working aggressively here.
Rodrigues tries to pull guard but Phaber holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodrigues drops back down to his feet.
Rodrigues misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rodrigues scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rodrigues lands a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Urijah Phaber 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. This is the final round!

Rodrigues throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phaber counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rodrigues swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Phaber counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Phaber tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A decent looking cross lands there for Phaber.

Phaber has managed to clinch.
Rodrigues tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Phaber tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Phaber escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Phaber tries to clinch but Rodrigues is having none of it.

Phaber drives through and clinches with Rodrigues against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Phaber looking to throw knees to the head but Rodrigues is blocking nicely.
Rodrigues misses with some punches.

Rodrigues ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Rodrigues no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Rodrigues has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Phaber off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues throws a combination that misses
and Phaber counters with a big head kick but Rodrigues shrugs it off.
Rodrigues throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phaber counters with a head kick. That will keep Rodrigues thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rodrigues misses with a double jab
and Phaber counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rodrigues swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Phaber cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rodrigues misses with a combination

and Phaber counters by clinching up.
Phaber prevents the takedown attempt.
Phaber blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rodrigues tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Phaber smiles and moves away.
Urijah Phaber has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alberto Rodrigues.
Phaber works the jab nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rodrigues throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phaber counters with a nice low kick that buckles Rodrigues's knee momentarily.
Phaber throws a hook but Rodrigues avoids it easily.
Rodrigues misses with a combination
letting Phaber counter with a right hand.
Rodrigues swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rodrigues takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rodrigues throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phaber counters with a one-two to the body.
Rodrigues shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Phaber counters by clinching up.
Rodrigues tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rodrigues tries for a takedown but Phaber manages to get underhooks.
Rodrigues working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Phaber walks away with a smile on his face. Rodrigues gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rodrigues throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Phaber counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Rodrigues misses with a combination

and Phaber holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Phaber blocking some punches.
Phaber prevents the takedown attempt.

Rodrigues pulls guard.

Rodrigues has his feet on Phaber's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Rodrigues has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rodrigues throws a left and a right that both miss
and Phaber cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rodrigues throws a left and a right that both miss
and Phaber cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rodrigues falls off balance throwing a combination
and Phaber cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rodrigues throws a left and a right that both miss
and Phaber connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Phaber is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phaber defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rodrigues.
Rodrigues misses with a combination
enabling Phaber to counter with a crisp jab.
Rodrigues swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Phaber counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Rodrigues is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Rodrigues misses with a double jab
and Phaber makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Phaber has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Phaber throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rodrigues.
No luck for Rodrigues with that takedown attempt.
Rodrigues misses with a double jab

and Phaber counters by clinching up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Urijah Phaber showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Phaber has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Urijah Phaber!