PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Loic Mboma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruno Rodrigues (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mboma
vs
Rodrigues

200 cm
19
255 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

192 cm
21
270 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Loic Mboma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bruno Rodrigues !
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Seu Braga and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mboma misses with a takedown

and Rodrigues counters with a single leg into guard. Mboma didn't expect that.
Mboma has a closed guard, preventing Rodrigues from standing up.
Rodrigues really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mboma. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Mboma is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rodrigues is aware though and is defending well.

Rodrigues gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Mboma shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rodrigues counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mboma is proving hard to escape from.

Mboma throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Mboma is looking for a triangle but Rodrigues pushes his legs off easily.

Mboma looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rodrigues stands and steps away. Mboma gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mboma shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rodrigues counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rodrigues .
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Loic Mboma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodrigues trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mboma's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigues stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Mboma has his takedown stuffed

and Rodrigues counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Mboma!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rodrigues is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Mboma gets caught napping as Rodrigues dives in and scores a takedown. Mboma manages to retain guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mboma is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mboma looking for subs off his back but Rodrigues has passed one foot through into half guard.
Mboma is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mboma looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rodrigues tries to stand and escape but Mboma is controlling the position.

Rodrigues stands up and beckons Mboma to join him on the feet.
Mboma fails with the takedown

and Rodrigues counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mboma won't be happy with that.
Mboma tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Rodrigues stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Mboma fails with the takedown

and Rodrigues counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mboma looking for submissions off his back.

Rodrigues decides to stand and escape the position.

Rodrigues closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rodrigues tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Mboma.

Rodrigues stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Mboma to get to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mboma misses with a takedown attempt

and Rodrigues counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mboma won't be happy with that.
Mboma is looking for a sweep.
Mboma is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruno Rodrigues dominated that 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.

Rodrigues has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mboma blocks an elbow strike from Rodrigues .

Mboma manages to break the clinch.
Mboma misses with a takedown attempt

and Rodrigues counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rodrigues would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Rodrigues must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Mboma looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Mboma escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rodrigues gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Rodrigues gets to his feet. Mboma looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Rodrigues changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mboma looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Rodrigues decides to stand up, so the ref orders Mboma to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mboma shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rodrigues counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rodrigues wants to stand up but Mboma manages to regain full guard.

Mboma working for a triangle but Rodrigues defends it easily.

Mboma is working an open guard so Rodrigues takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Rodrigues throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mboma was covering up waiting for the punch and Rodrigues finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rodrigues wants to stand but Mboma is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mboma is looking for a triangle here but Rodrigues uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Rodrigues decides to stand up, so the ref orders Mboma to his feet.
Mboma shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rodrigues counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Loic Mboma. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues wants to get back to his feet.
Mboma manages to get to full guard.
Rodrigues has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mboma is proving hard to escape from.

Mboma working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rodrigues doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rodrigues manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four 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.

Mboma escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rodrigues gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Rodrigues stands up and waves to Mboma to follow him.
Mboma misses with a takedown

and Rodrigues counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mboma won't be happy with that.
Mboma is looking to reverse the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rodrigues decides to stand back up.
Loic Mboma seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mboma misses with a takedown

and Rodrigues decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mboma's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Mboma is looking for a triangle but Rodrigues pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruno Rodrigues showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Rodrigues shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rodrigues was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rodrigues content just to control the position here.
Rodrigues prevents Mboma from getting the reversal.
Rodrigues tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Rodrigues gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Mboma doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rodrigues counters by clinching up.
Rodrigues has Mboma pressed against the cage, preventing Mboma from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mboma wants to break free but Rodrigues has control.
Mboma wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rodrigues throws an elbow that misses.

Mboma manages to break the clinch.

Rodrigues shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Mboma is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rodrigues pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Rodrigues decides to stand and escape the position.

Mboma changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rodrigues looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rodrigues dodges the ground and pound from Mboma.
Mboma throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Mboma is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rodrigues is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues wants to get back to his feet but Mboma drags him back down.
Mboma misses with the ground and pound.
Rodrigues wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Mboma is looking to take a break and control but Rodrigues is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rodrigues pushes Mboma away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Mboma gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Rodrigues managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Mboma.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mboma just content to control the position.
Mboma trying to control the position but Rodrigues is working away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rodrigues can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mboma in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Rodrigues wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Mboma is looking to take a break and control but Rodrigues is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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 wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Mboma wants to control but Rodrigues is keeping him busy.
Bruno Rodrigues is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Rodrigues throws Mboma to one side and escapes!
Mboma shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rodrigues counters with a takedown into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruno Rodrigues comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rodrigues 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruno Rodrigues !