PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ken Rodgers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Stackhouse (ranked 0 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
Stackhouse

182 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
26
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good elbows
Tends to cut

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 Helsinki, Ken Rodgers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sam Stackhouse!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stackhouse wants to clinch.
Rodgers misses with a hook. Stackhouse ducked under it nicely.
Some wild striking there from Stackhouse.
Stackhouse tries to clinch up.
Stackhouse throws a series of punches but Rodgers moves out of range.
Stackhouse shoots in but Rodgers avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Rodgers scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rodgers sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stackhouse defending well though.
Rodgers looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Stackhouse with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rodgers throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rodgers slips a nice elbow through Stackhouse's hands, connecting with Stackhouse's forehead.
Stackhouse tries to get to full guard but Rodgers has control of the leg.
Rodgers missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rodgers slips a nice elbow through Stackhouse's hands, connecting with Stackhouse's forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers is taking a breather. Stackhouse says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Stackhouse is pressing down on Rodgers's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Stackhouse is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rodgers wants to control from the top but Stackhouse keeps moving.
Rodgers slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rodgers looking to pass the guard.
Rodgers works over Stackhouse with some ground and pound from guard.
Stackhouse looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rodgers scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers stops Stackhouse from standing up.
Stackhouse can't keep his opponent in guard - Rodgers advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Rodgers is pressing down on Stackhouse's thigh, looking to free his foot. Stackhouse is holding on for now.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nice strikes from Rodgers there.
Rodgers is trying to control the action in half guard but Stackhouse is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Stackhouse won't allow Rodgers to pass to mount.
Ground and pound from Rodgers.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stackhouse wants to get back to full guard.
Stackhouse looks gassed!
Rodgers trying to control the pace.
Stackhouse tries to get to full guard but Rodgers has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers lands with a punch from half guard.
Rodgers working the head and body with strikes.
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. Rodgers connects with a nice short shot to Stackhouse's temple.
Rodgers seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rodgers lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rodgers with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rodgers lands a nice short elbow.
Rodgers is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rodgers keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stackhouse is trying to get back to full guard.
Rodgers slows the pace down in half guard.
Rodgers lands strikes from half guard.
Stackhouse has hold of Rodgers's hands but Rodgers slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rodgers takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rodgers passes to side control.
Stackhouse is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Rodgers has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Stackhouse taking a bit of punishment here - Rodgers scoring with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodgers working the ground and pound from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodgers trying to control the position but Stackhouse is working away.
Rodgers slows the pace down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Rodgers dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rodgers throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rodgers drops his hands momentarily and Stackhouse takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rodgers misses with a hook. Stackhouse ducked under it nicely.
Rodgers throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stackhouse fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stackhouse showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rodgers.
Stackhouse throws a jab when Rodgers was well out of range.
Rodgers throws a body punch but Stackhouse moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stackhouse lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stackhouse misses with a body kick.
Stackhouse throws a right and a left that Rodgers avoids nicely.
Stackhouse misses with a takedown attempt

and Rodgers counters with a takedown into side control.
Rodgers lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers scoring with punches from side control.
Stackhouse is breathing heavily.
Rodgers remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Stackhouse is working to avoid the ground and pound but Rodgers connects with a decent elbow.
Rodgers trying to control the position but Stackhouse is working away.
Rodgers just content to control the position.
Check out the look on Rodgers's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodgers scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Stackhouse to see if he's OK.
Rodgers wants to control but Stackhouse is keeping him busy.
Stackhouse is working to avoid the ground and pound but Rodgers connects with a decent elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers scoring with punches from side control.
Stackhouse is looking to regain half guard here but Rodgers keeps moving and retains side control.
Rodgers lands a decent elbow from side control.
Rodgers lands a nice forearm strike.
Rodgers scores with punches from side control.
A lull in the action here as Rodgers stalls from top position.
Rodgers working the head with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stackhouse sneaks back into half guard.
Rodgers is nestled in close to Stackhouse, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers drops an elbow to the side of Stackhouse's head.
Rodgers lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rodgers perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Stackhouse is not content to let Rodgers control the position.
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. Rodgers connects with a nice short shot to Stackhouse's temple.
Rodgers keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Stackhouse is staying active underneath Rodgers, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Ken Rodgers just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Some wild striking there from Rodgers.
Stackhouse looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stackhouse throws a lazy right hand but Rodgers sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stackhouse throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rodgers's head.
Rodgers throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stackhouse shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Rodgers counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rodgers stands and throws Stackhouse's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rodgers controlling the position from side mount.
Rodgers working the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodgers advances to full mount.
Rodgers pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Rodgers dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rodgers misses with a straight left.

Rodgers shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Stackhouse's guard.
Rodgers keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Stackhouse's head.
Stackhouse doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Stackhouse has momentary wrist control but Rodgers slips an elbow through the middle.
Rodgers trying to control but Stackhouse is working from the bottom.
Rodgers lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rodgers trying to control the position from guard on top but Stackhouse is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodgers not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Stackhouse takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stackhouse wants to stand and escape but Rodgers is having none of it.
Rodgers pushes down on Stackhouse's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rodgers scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ground and pound from Rodgers.
Rodgers is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The referee warns Stackhouse that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Ken Rodgers overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rodgers is landing with some decent strikes but Stackhouse is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Rodgers can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stackhouse is looking to escape.
Rodgers landing strikes from the mount and Stackhouse is in trouble!
BOOM! Rodgers connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Rodgers lands a big shot there that rocks Stackhouse but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
You get the feeling that Stackhouse really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers controlling from the full mount.
Rodgers is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Stackhouse can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The referee warns Stackhouse that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Rodgers takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodgers dominating with strikes here.
Rodgers sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Rodgers landing strikes from the mount and Stackhouse is in trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Rodgers.
Ken Rodgers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodgers controlling from mount.
Rodgers has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Ken Rodgers just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Stackhouse blocks a jab.
Rodgers misses with a two punch combination.
Stackhouse throws a series of punches but Rodgers avoids them all with ease.
Rodgers is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Stackhouse's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Stackhouse throws a series of punches but Rodgers avoids them all with ease.
Stackhouse keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rodgers.
Rodgers slips a jab from Stackhouse.
Rodgers throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stackhouse swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stackhouse takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A slow jab from Rodgers misses its intended target.
Sam Stackhouse has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stackhouse rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodgers moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ken Rodgers showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:25
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:26
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:26

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