PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neho Kipei (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.

Rhodes
vs
Kipei

183 cm
25
213 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
24
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 Amsterdam, Jimmy Rhodes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Neho Kipei!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Nard Betker and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kipei stuffs the takedown attempt from Rhodes. Rhodes gets slowly back to his feet.
No joy there for Kipei, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rhodes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

It looks like Jimmy Rhodes has been cut.
Rhodes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A nice combination there by Kipei.
Rhodes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kipei misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kipei looks to land a combination but Rhodes avoids it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kipei keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
No joy there for Kipei, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Rhodes closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kipei quickly recovers to half guard.
Rhodes wants to take a breather but Kipei is having none of it.
Kipei is trying to stand up here but Rhodes is controlling him well.
Rhodes is looking to advance position but Kipei won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rhodes stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kipei tries to kick Rhodes off but Rhodes keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Rhodes is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kipei really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rhodes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Rhodes looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kipei is not content to let Rhodes control the position.

Rhodes is trying to work for a kimura but Kipei is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kipei avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rhodes.
Still in half guard, Rhodes seems content to control.
Kipei is refusing to be controlled, as Rhodes sits in half guard.
Rhodes misses with a head shot. Kipei uses the momentum to regain guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rhodes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kipei swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kipei preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rhodes wants to control from the top but Kipei keeps moving.
Rhodes is in close to Kipei's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rhodes prevents Kipei from getting back to his feet.
Rhodes trying to control the position from guard on top but Kipei is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Rhodes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Rhodes's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rhodes with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kipei to score with a decent uppercut.
No joy there for Kipei, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rhodes takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Rhodes shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rhodes content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kipei keeping moving, preventing Rhodes from controlling successfully.
Rhodes forces his way into half guard.

Rhodes is trying to work for a kimura but Kipei is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rhodes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kipei has managed to free his arm - good work.

Rhodes is looking for a kimura here.

Rhodes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kipei is just riding it out for now. Rhodes eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes works his way into full mount!

Rhodes swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kipei is now in Rhodes's guard. A big mistake from Rhodes there, giving up the dominant position!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kipei got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rhodes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kipei has managed to get both his arms back between Rhodes's legs - danger averted.
Rhodes is trying to control the position but Kipei postures up.
Kipei must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Rhodes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kipei gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kipei stopping the sweep attempt from Rhodes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rhodes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kipei can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rhodes looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kipei wants to control from the top but Rhodes keeps moving.
Jimmy Rhodes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kipei controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kipei trying to control but Rhodes is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Neho Kipei.
Kipei throws a right and a left that Rhodes avoids nicely.
Rhodes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kipei throws a right and a left that Rhodes avoids nicely.
Neho Kipei seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kipei swinging wildly here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rhodes avoids a punch combination nicely.

Rhodes gets the takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Rhodes dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Rhodes's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - 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.

Kipei fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A lazy left from Kipei finds it's target.
Kipei tests Rhodes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rhodes gets clipped by a big right hand and goes down spinning to the canvas! Kipei gets the back mount and begins to drop bombs on his rocked foe! Rhodes is too out of it to defend against the strikes and the referee jumps in to save him from the beatdown!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:17 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Neho Kipei!