PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Irwin McMulligan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nelson Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodriguez comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Bodies kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! This should be a great matchup!

McMulligan
vs
Rodriguez

200 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

186 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Irwin McMulligan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Nelson Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Chris Edwards and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McMulligan lands a nice hook to Rodriguez's body. Rodriguez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rodriguez throws a right hand that McMulligan ducks under and follows up with a left that McMulligan also avoids with ease.
Rodriguez misses with a series of wild punches.

McMulligan shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.
McMulligan knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rodriguez on the ground.
Rodriguez looks gassed!
McMulligan is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
McMulligan wants to stand but Rodriguez has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
McMulligan is nestled in close to Rodriguez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
McMulligan working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.
McMulligan not doing much here.
McMulligan drops an elbow to the side of Rodriguez's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMulligan working over Rodriguez with some ground and pound. Rodriguez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
McMulligan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
McMulligan wants to control but Rodriguez is keeping him busy.
McMulligan landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
McMulligan lands with a punch from half guard.
McMulligan is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Rodriguez is trying to stand up here but McMulligan is controlling him well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McMulligan connects with a nice short shot to Rodriguez's temple.
Rodriguez is trying to stand up here but McMulligan is controlling him well.
McMulligan lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ground and pound from McMulligan.
Rodriguez pushes McMulligan off looking to stand but McMulligan dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez has hold of McMulligan's hands but McMulligan slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rodriguez is looking to escape.
McMulligan slips a nice elbow through Rodriguez's hands, connecting with Rodriguez's forehead.

McMulligan decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

McMulligan drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
McMulligan works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
McMulligan tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
McMulligan working the head with strikes.
McMulligan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Rodriguez explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Rodriguez has his takedown stuffed

and McMulligan counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rodriguez pushes McMulligan off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from McMulligan.
Some wild striking there from McMulligan.
Rodriguez throws a combination that misses

and McMulligan moves into the clinch.
Rodriguez lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rodriguez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McMulligan has him pressed against the cage.
McMulligan will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rodriguez up against the cage.
McMulligan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rodriguez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McMulligan stops a takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Irwin McMulligan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelson Rodriguez.
Rodriguez throws an elbow but it misses.
McMulligan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McMulligan is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez has him pressed against the cage.
McMulligan working hard to break the clinch.
Rodriguez wants to get back to striking at distance but McMulligan won't allow it.
Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McMulligan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four 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.

McMulligan decides to pull guard.
McMulligan on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McMulligan tries to get out of the position.
McMulligan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rodriguez is controlling him.

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 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 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.
McMulligan is looking to stand up but Rodriguez isn't so interested in that idea.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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 stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McMulligan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Irwin McMulligan dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McMulligan closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
McMulligan tries to clinch but Rodriguez is having none of it.
Rodriguez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
McMulligan dives in and grabs Rodriguez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rodriguez pushes down on McMulligan's head and hops out.
Rodriguez throws a combination that misses

and McMulligan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rodriguez's guard.
McMulligan looking to pass the guard.
McMulligan prevents Rodriguez from getting back to his feet.
McMulligan trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rodriguez's guard.
Rodriguez is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Rodriguez uses the cage to get back to his feet.
A combination from Rodriguez does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMulligan throws a series of strikes that have Rodriguez backpedaling.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McMulligan tries to clinch up but Rodriguez circles away and keeps his distance.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McMulligan as he jumps to the side.
The fighters circle momentarily. McMulligan darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Some wild striking there from McMulligan.
Rodriguez throws a right and a left that both miss.
McMulligan slaps away a takedown attempt from Rodriguez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Irwin McMulligan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelson Rodriguez.
McMulligan scores with the left hand. Rodriguez knows he should have avoided that one.
Irwin McMulligan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodriguez misses with a double jab.
Rodriguez throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rodriguez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rodriguez wants it to stay on the feet.
McMulligan tries to clinch there but Rodriguez circles away.
McMulligan moves in looking to clinch but Rodriguez pushes him off.

McMulligan clinches up with Rodriguez and pushes him back against the cage.
Rodriguez misses with an elbow over the top.
McMulligan gets underhooks to prevent Rodriguez's takedown attempt.
McMulligan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rodriguez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but McMulligan manages to get underhooks.
McMulligan is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez is controlling him.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McMulligan fails in his attempt to clinch.
McMulligan swinging wildly here.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but McMulligan shows good takedown defense.
McMulligan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rodriguez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McMulligan's waist but McMulligan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rodriguez off to one side.
McMulligan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rodriguez falls off balance throwing a combination
and McMulligan counters with a two punch combo.
Nelson Rodriguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown by McMulligan or perhaps it was just good defense by Rodriguez which made him look bad.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but McMulligan shows good takedown defense.
Rodriguez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rodriguez throws a combination that misses
and McMulligan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMulligan wants to clinch.
McMulligan tries to clinch up.
Rodriguez doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McMulligan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rodriguez's guard.

Rodriguez has his feet on McMulligan's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

McMulligan clinches.
Rodriguez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McMulligan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McMulligan throws a combination. Rodriguez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
McMulligan tries to clinch there but Rodriguez circles away.

McMulligan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McMulligan.
Rodriguez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McMulligan tries to clinch but Rodriguez is having none of it.
Nice sprawl there from Rodriguez as McMulligan shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez misses with a combination

and McMulligan counters with a single leg into guard. Rodriguez didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rodriguez is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
McMulligan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rodriguez smiles and moves away.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt - McMulligan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A nice combination there by McMulligan.

Rodriguez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
McMulligan tries to kick Rodriguez off but Rodriguez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rodriguez is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Irwin McMulligan dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Rodriguez is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McMulligan.
Rodriguez closes the distance and clinches up with McMulligan, looking for a takedown. Rodriguez pushes McMulligan against the cage but McMulligan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt

and McMulligan counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rodriguez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Irwin McMulligan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelson Rodriguez.
McMulligan is looking to break free of the clinch but Rodriguez has double underhooks.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
McMulligan wants to break free but Rodriguez has control.

Rodriguez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McMulligan is looking to clinch but Rodriguez is avoiding it.

McMulligan clinches.
A nice left hand lands by McMulligan.
A right handed body shot lands from McMulligan.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodriguez prevents McMulligan from breaking the clinch.
Rodriguez wants to get back to striking at distance but McMulligan won't allow it.

McMulligan manages to pull guard.
McMulligan wants to stand but Rodriguez is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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 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.
McMulligan wants to stand but Rodriguez is controlling the position.

Rodriguez drops back looking for a leg! McMulligan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and McMulligan manages to kick Rodriguez off! Rodriguez jumps back into McMulligan's guard.
Rodriguez prevents McMulligan from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McMulligan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rodriguez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rodriguez shoots in and drives through. McMulligan sprawls well.
Rodriguez tries to score a power double leg takedown but McMulligan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rodriguez somewhat.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but McMulligan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McMulligan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rodriguez throws a left and a right that both miss

and McMulligan moves into the clinch.
McMulligan is trying to break free.
McMulligan working hard to break the clinch.
McMulligan lands with a left to the head.
McMulligan pushes off an throws an elbow but Rodriguez leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but McMulligan manages to get underhooks.
McMulligan is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez has him pressed against the cage.
McMulligan has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rodriguez avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rodriguez pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rodriguez pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rodriguez looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMulligan changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rodriguez fights it off and pushes away nicely.

McMulligan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McMulligan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rodriguez gets underhooks to prevent McMulligan's takedown attempt.
McMulligan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rodriguez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
McMulligan misses with a hook from the clinch.

Rodriguez manages to break the clinch.
Rodriguez looks to land a combination but McMulligan avoids it well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rodriguez.
A left and a right from McMulligan both land. Nice combination.
McMulligan wants to clinch up but Rodriguez keeps it at a distance.
Rodriguez throws a right and a left that both miss.

McMulligan clinches.
Rodriguez looking for a takedown.
Nice elbow from Rodriguez.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rodriguez throws an elbow but misses.
Rodriguez keeps control of McMulligan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rodriguez just misses with a elbow thrown towards McMulligan's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is trying to break free.
McMulligan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rodriguez drops down looking for an ankle pick but McMulligan pulls his leg out and moves away.
McMulligan throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
McMulligan tries to clinch up but Rodriguez circles away and keeps his distance.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt

and McMulligan moves into the clinch.

Rodriguez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

McMulligan darts in and clinches Rodriguez up against the cage.
Rodriguez is trying to break the clinch but McMulligan has him pressed against the cage.
McMulligan lands a body shot in the clinch.
McMulligan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
McMulligan wants a takedown but no success here.
Rodriguez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McMulligan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McMulligan tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodriguez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rodriguez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McMulligan circles away quickly and effectively.
Nelson Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Irwin McMulligan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McMulligan scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
McMulligan lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Irwin McMulligan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McMulligan has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Irwin McMulligan!