PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jasser Tiihonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bender Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bender Rodriguez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tiihonen
vs
Rodriguez

181 cm
30
192 lbs
17 - 16 - 0

185 cm
32
201 lbs
17 - 25 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jasser Tiihonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bender Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez stuffs the takedown.
Rodriguez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rodriguez wants it to stay on the feet.
Rodriguez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rodriguez wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jasser Tiihonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tiihonen closes the distance and clinches up with Rodriguez, looking for a takedown. Tiihonen pushes Rodriguez against the cage but Rodriguez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rodriguez catches Tiihonen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rodriguez works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rodriguez throws a hook to the side of Tiihonen's head but Tiihonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rodriguez throws the left hand but Tiihonen avoids the punch easily.
Tiihonen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rodriguez throws an off balance right hand
and Rodriguez takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tiihonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Rodriguez is just out of range.

Tiihonen drives through with a takedown into Rodriguez's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tiihonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodriguez is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to stand and escape but Tiihonen is having none of it.
Tiihonen stopping the sweep attempt from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez trying to control the position.
Tiihonen preventing the sweep.
Rodriguez keeping full guard, as Tiihonen tries to pass.
Tiihonen stopping the sweep attempt from Rodriguez.
Tiihonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodriguez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rodriguez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rodriguez misses with a hook
and Tiihonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tiihonen ducks under a wild hook from Rodriguez.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tiihonen swinging wildly here.
Rodriguez pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Tiihonen back to the cage. Rodriguez follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rodriguez swings for the body but Tiihonen moves out of range.
Tiihonen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rodriguez throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tiihonen just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiihonen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rodriguez counters with a nice uppercut.

Tiihonen scores with a takedown into Rodriguez's guard.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Tiihonen from controlling successfully.
Rodriguez wants to stand but Tiihonen is controlling the position.
Rodriguez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tiihonen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Tiihonen from controlling successfully.

Tiihonen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rodriguez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rodriguez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rodriguez!
Tiihonen tries to bench press Rodriguez off him but Rodriguez keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to stand but Tiihonen has his arm trapped.
Rodriguez tries to move into full mount but can't pass Tiihonen's legs.
Tiihonen tries to improve position but can't.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rodriguez has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tiihonen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jasser Tiihonen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rodriguez lands a jab-cross combination.
Rodriguez throws out a loose jab but Tiihonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rodriguez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tiihonen.
Rodriguez moves away from the strike by Tiihonen.
Tiihonen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rodriguez sprawls well. Rodriguez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tiihonen gets slowly back to his feet.
Tiihonen throws an overhand right that lands on Rodriguez's shoulder, as Rodriguez tries to avoid the shot.
Tiihonen shoots in looking for a takedown but Rodriguez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tiihonen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rodriguez cracks Tiihonen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rodriguez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tiihonen shoots in for a double leg but Rodriguez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jasser Tiihonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tiihonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tiihonen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Good exchange - Rodriguez coming out on top.
Tiihonen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rodriguez throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Tiihonen to counter with a crisp jab.
Tiihonen misses with an uppercut.
Rodriguez moves out of range of the strikes.
Tiihonen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Rodriguez lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiihonen takes a jab right on the kisser.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tiihonen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tiihonen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rodriguez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rodriguez connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tiihonen. Tiihonen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rodriguez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tiihonen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Tiihonen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tiihonen content to control rather than advance.
Tiihonen prevents Rodriguez from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiihonen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Tiihonen looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Tiihonen is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Rodriguez has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Rodriguez!
Rodriguez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tiihonen is keeping the position for now.

Tiihonen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rodriguez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rodriguez tries to free his leg and advance position but Tiihonen is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tiihonen working for a triangle but Rodriguez defends it easily.

Tiihonen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rodriguez tries to stand but Tiihonen is controlling from the bottom.
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Tiihonen keeps moving.
Rodriguez content to stall in guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tiihonen keeping full guard, as Rodriguez tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bender Rodriguez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. 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.

Tiihonen swings for the body but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Rodriguez throws a shot from downtown. Tiihonen moves away and avoids it.
Rodriguez throws a looping overhand right but Tiihonen ducks down to avoid it.
Rodriguez jabs Tiihonen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rodriguez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rodriguez with a nice cross.
Tiihonen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rodriguez avoids it really well and circles away.
Rodriguez feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tiihonens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jab, jab by Tiihonen - just one landing.
Tiihonen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rodriguez punishes Tiihonen's body with a nice straight punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodriguez lands a jab to the nose.
Rodriguez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tiihonen moves away.
Rodriguez dips to his left and cracks Tiihonen with an uppercut!
Tiihonen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rodriguez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jasser Tiihonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big right from Rodriguez misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez tests Tiihonen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Tiihonen as he connects with a hook.
Rodriguez throws a good cross that connects.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodriguez throws out a loose jab but Tiihonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tiihonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rodriguez manages to avoid it.
Rodriguez cracks Tiihonen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bender Rodriguez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tiihonen misses with a takedown
and Rodriguez counters with a left to the body.
Rodriguez connects with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Rodriguez leaves Tiihonen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Tiihonen.
Rodriguez lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tiihonen fails to land the takedown.
Rodriguez throws out a powerful jab.
Rodriguez lands a jab to the nose.
Tiihonen with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rodriguez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tiihonen thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Rodriguez.

Tiihonen is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rodriguez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Oh Tiihonen is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tiihonen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rodriguez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rodriguez displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rodriguez misses with a hook. Tiihonen ducked under it nicely.
Rodriguez with a nice cross.
Tiihonen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tiihonen slips under a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodriguez scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tiihonen in his tracks.
Rodriguez cracks Tiihonen with a hook to the temple - Tiihonen is on wobbly legs here! Rodriguez swarms him with hook after hook, landing with each one! Tiihonen falls to the canvas face first and the referee dives in to stop the fight! Rodriguez wins by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Bender Rodriguez!
Bender Rodriguez thanked the fans post fight for their support.