PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Niko Soldo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miguel Rodriguez (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.

Soldo
vs
Rodriguez

185 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
21
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Niko Soldo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Miguel Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Winston Howard and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez tries a head kick but it misses.
Soldo throws a right and a left that Rodriguez avoids nicely.
Soldo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Soldo keeps the fight on the outside.
Soldo lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rodriguez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rodriguez pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Soldo moves into the clinch.
Soldo is trying to break the clinch but Rodriguez has him pressed against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Rodriguez wants a takedown but no success here.
Rodriguez working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rodriguez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Soldo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Rodriguez successfully pulls guard.
Soldo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rodriguez's guard.
Rodriguez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Soldo wants to stand and escape but instead Rodriguez has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodriguez is one step ahead there.
Rodriguez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Soldo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez throws and elbow that misses. Soldo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rodriguez's guard. Nice move by Soldo!
Soldo preventing the sweep.
Soldo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodriguez is trying to keep Soldo in close.

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.
Rodriguez has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Soldo wants to stand and escape but instead Rodriguez has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Soldo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Soldo is trying to keep Rodriguez in close.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Soldo wants to get back to his feet but Rodriguez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Soldo is breathing heavily.
Soldo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rodriguez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soldo is trying to control the position but Rodriguez postures up.
Rodriguez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Soldo parries the strikes from Rodriguez easily there. Rodriguez is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Soldo to escape.
Rodriguez misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Rodriguez cracks Soldo with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Soldo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rodriguez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Soldo takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Soldo wants to control but Rodriguez postures up.
Rodriguez lands some shots froms side control.
Soldo is working to avoid the ground and pound but Rodriguez connects with a decent elbow.
Soldo is not content to let Rodriguez control the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Soldo is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Rodriguez working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Soldo regains half guard.
Soldo wants to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rodriguez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Soldo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez thows a huge punch but Soldo dodges it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rodriguez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rodriguez shoots in but no luck this time.
Niko Soldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miguel Rodriguez.
Soldo connects with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miguel Rodriguez dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rodriguez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rodriguez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Soldo has managed to clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Soldo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Soldo.
Soldo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rodriguez throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Soldo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A left and a right from Soldo both land. Nice combination.
A slapping leg kick lands for Soldo.
Soldo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Soldo scores with a one two! Rodriguez had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Soldo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Niko Soldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miguel Rodriguez.
Rodriguez has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Soldo throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Soldo wants to clinch.
Soldo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Soldo wants it to stay on the feet.
Soldo misses with a body kick.
Soldo closes the distance and lands a one-two.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Soldo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodriguez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No joy there for Rodriguez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Soldo closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Soldo misses with a double jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Soldo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rodriguez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Soldo.
Soldo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rodriguez.
Soldo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rodriguez doesn't manage to clinch there - Soldo circles away.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Soldo shows good takedown defense.
Soldo tries to clinch but Rodriguez is having none of it.
Soldo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rodriguez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rodriguez stuffs the takedown.

Rodriguez shoots in and bounces Soldo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Soldo keeps moving.
Rodriguez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Soldo's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control but Soldo is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Soldo is on top in guard.
Soldo controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rodriguez is looking to stand up but Soldo isn't so interested in that idea.

Soldo stands up and waves to Rodriguez to follow him.
Soldo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Soldo pinned against the cage. Soldo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Soldo moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Soldo darts in and clinches Rodriguez up against the cage.
Rodriguez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Soldo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rodriguez stalls.
Rodriguez prevents the takedown attempt.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Soldo digs a good hook to Rodriguez's body.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt.
Rodriguez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Soldo tries to avoid it but Rodriguez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Soldo to the ground. Soldo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Soldo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rodriguez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Rodriguez looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Soldo!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Niko Soldo 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. 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.

Soldo has a takedown stuffed.
Rodriguez misses with a series of wild punches.
Soldo stuffs the takedown attempt from Rodriguez. Rodriguez gets slowly back to his feet.
Soldo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rodriguez's waist but Rodriguez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Soldo off to one side.
Rodriguez throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Soldo.

Rodriguez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rodriguez cracks Soldo with a big right hand but Soldo just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Soldo pushes Rodriguez away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rodriguez gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Rodriguez in side control lands a decent elbow.
Soldo taking punishment in the form of punches.
Soldo wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soldo is not content to let Rodriguez control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Soldo wants to control but Rodriguez postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rodriguez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Soldo is fending him off so far but Rodriguez persists. Nope, Soldo circles away and we're back to standing.
Soldo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rodriguez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rodriguez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Soldo can pounce on him.
A punch combination from Soldo misses.
Rodriguez shoots in for a double leg but Soldo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Niko Soldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miguel Rodriguez.
Soldo wants to clinch up but Rodriguez keeps it at a distance.

Soldo closes the distance and clinches.
Rodriguez can't get the takedown.
Rodriguez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Soldo prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez keeps control of Soldo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rodriguez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Soldo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rodriguez slips a jab and a cross from Soldo.
Rodriguez scores with a crisp jab that stopped Soldo in his tracks.
Rodriguez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Niko Soldo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodriguez is looking to clinch.
Rodriguez shoots for a takedown but Soldo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Soldo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Soldo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rodriguez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Soldo.
Rodriguez is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Soldo.
Soldo leaves Rodriguez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Soldo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Soldo scores with a four punch combination!
Soldo stalks Rodriguez and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rodriguez's face. Rodriguez staggers backwards, shaken.
Soldo blocks a head kick by Rodriguez.
Soldo is working the combinations to good effect here.
Rodriguez throws a jab when Soldo was well out of range.
Soldo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rodriguez but Rodriguez pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Soldo takes the fight into the clinch.

Rodriguez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A left and a right from Soldo both land. Nice combination.
Rodriguez looks to land a combination but Soldo avoids it well.
Soldo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rodriguez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Soldo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Soldo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown. Soldo tries to sprawl out of it but Rodriguez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Soldo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rodriguez shoots in but Soldo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Soldo is looking to wear down Rodriguez with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Soldo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rodriguez somewhat.

Soldo darts in and clinches Rodriguez up against the cage.
Soldo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Soldo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Rodriguez has picked Soldo up - he's going for a ride! Rodriguez dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Rodriguez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Soldo's head.
Soldo is refusing to be controlled, as Rodriguez sits in half guard.
Rodriguez might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Soldo kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Rodriguez thows a huge punch but Soldo dodges it nicely.
Rodriguez wants to free his trapped foot but Soldo is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Soldo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Miguel Rodriguez.
I think Rodriguez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Miguel Rodriguez!