PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Friedrich Nietzsche (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benny Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nietzsche
vs
Rodriguez

173 cm
22
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
165 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Friedrich Nietzsche!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benny Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nietzsche with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rodriguez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rodriguez lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rodriguez misses with a head kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez throws a head kick that misses.
Rodriguez throws a right hand that Nietzsche ducks under and follows up with a left that Nietzsche also avoids with ease.
A lazy body kick from Rodriguez
and Nietzsche counters with a straight right hand.
Nietzsche misses with a body kick.
Rodriguez throws a series of punches but Nietzsche avoids them all with ease.
Rodriguez avoids a kick to the body.
Rodriguez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Nietzsche drives through and clinches with Rodriguez against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nietzsche.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A left hand lands to the body for Nietzsche.
Nietzsche can't get the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nietzsche creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rodriguez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nietzsche is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nietzsche will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rodriguez up against the cage.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but Nietzsche holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodriguez drops back down to his feet.
A short left from Nietzsche.
Rodriguez prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Friedrich Nietzsche. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nietzsche has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Rodriguez is trying to keep an underhook but Nietzsche manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rodriguez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nietzsche.
Nietzsche tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rodriguez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rodriguez is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rodriguez trying to control but Nietzsche postures up.
Ground and pound from Nietzsche.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.
Nietzsche working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nietzsche landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nietzsche seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nietzsche is thwarting Rodriguez's attempts to control the position.
Nietzsche is looking to take a break and control but Rodriguez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nietzsche looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rodriguez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nietzsche lands strikes from half guard.
Nietzsche working the head and body with strikes.
Nietzsche working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rodriguez is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nietzsche scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodriguez tries to roll over but Nietzsche keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control but Nietzsche postures up.
Nietzsche landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rodriguez wants to improve his position but Nietzsche is controlling well.

Rodriguez kicks off Nietzsche and gets to his feet.

Rodriguez gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Nietzsche to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Rodriguez working for a triangle but Nietzsche defends it easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nietzsche landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Friedrich Nietzsche dominated that round.
That's time! Nietzsche's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rodriguez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nietzsche.
Rodriguez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rodriguez misses with a head kick.
Nietzsche jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nietzsche misses with a right hand
and Rodriguez counters with a big head kick but Nietzsche shrugs it off.

Nietzsche closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but Nietzsche won't allow it.

Nietzsche manages to break the clinch.
Nietzsche swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nietzsche is defended easily by Rodriguez.
Nietzsche scores with a punch to the head.
Friedrich Nietzsche seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodriguez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nietzsche slips under a jab from Rodriguez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nietzsche catches Rodriguez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nietzsche moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rodriguez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rodriguez there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rodriguez is looking to slow Nietzsche down with leg kicks.
Nietzsche blocks the body kick.
Nietzsche takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sloppy strikes from Rodriguez. Those never looked like landing.
Nietzsche has a takedown stuffed.
Nietzsche swings widly with a right hand
and Rodriguez counters with a leg kick.
Rodriguez defending well as Nietzsche loads up on a big left hand.

Nietzsche closes the distance and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Nietzsche breaks from the clinch.
Benny Rodriguez seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Rodriguez gets caught napping as Nietzsche dives in and scores a takedown. Rodriguez manages to retain guard.
Rodriguez trying to keep a closed guard but Nietzsche is proving a slippery customer.

Rodriguez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nietzsche can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to keep a closed guard but Nietzsche is proving a slippery customer.
Rodriguez wants to sweep but no luck.
Nietzsche trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodriguez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nietzsche lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rodriguez is on top in guard.
Rodriguez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nietzsche looking to control.
Nietzsche throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Nietzsche is controlling Rodriguez's posture.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rodriguez with a flurry of punches that miss.

Rodriguez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Nietzsche is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Nietzsche has escaped and now he's on top!

Rodriguez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nietzsche trying to control but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.
Nietzsche throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Rodriguez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nietzsche doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nietzsche manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rodriguez controls Nietzsche momentarily but Nietzsche frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Nietzsche from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Friedrich Nietzsche dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Nietzsche thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rodriguez if he has to take too many more of those.
Rodriguez dips to his left and cracks Nietzsche with an uppercut!
Sloppy strikes from Rodriguez. Those never looked like landing.
Benny Rodriguez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nietzsche misses with a two punch combination.
Rodriguez walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rodriguez scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nietzsche throws the kick towards the body but Rodriguez avoids it.
Nietzsche ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nietzsche throws the kick towards the body but Rodriguez avoids it.
Nietzsche throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rodriguez's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodriguez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rodriguez misses with an uppercut. Nietzsche saw that one coming.
Nietzsche avoids the head kick by Rodriguez.
Nietzsche swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rodriguez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nietzsche staying out of range there.
Rodriguez moves forwards but Nietzsche connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nietzsche bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Rodriguez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rodriguez misses with the combination.
Rodriguez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nietzsche was well out of range. Poor timing from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nietzsche moves away.
Nietzsche fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nietzsche lands a front kick.
Rodriguez misses with a looping left.
Nietzsche works Rodriguez's body with a nice hook.
Nietzsche misses with a straight right.
Rodriguez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nietzsche lands with a good body shot.
Nietzsche tries to clinch there but Rodriguez circles away.
Friedrich Nietzsche is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nietzsche is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Nietzsche manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rodriguez on his heels. He'll look to pass Rodriguez's guard now, I'm sure.
Nietzsche is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rodriguez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nietzsche is one step ahead there.
Rodriguez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nietzsche sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Friedrich Nietzsche has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Nietzsche lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Rodriguez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nietzsche misses with a straight right.
Nietzsche lands with a hook. Rodriguez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nietzsche swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nietzsche throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rodriguez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rodriguez is looking to chop away at Nietzsche's legs.
A leg kick checked by Nietzsche.
Nietzsche bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rodriguez's head.
Nietzsche lands a body shot.
Rodriguez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rodriguez throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Rodriguez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Rodriguez. Those never looked like landing.
Nietzsche lands the left hand.
Rodriguez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rodriguez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nietzsche scores with a push kick.
Rodriguez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rodriguez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodriguez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nietzsche thows a body kick. Rodriguez tries to catch it but that hurt him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nietzsche scores with a punch to the head.
Rodriguez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nietzsche.
Benny Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head kick misses from Nietzsche.
Benny Rodriguez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nietzsche misses with a series of wild punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Friedrich Nietzsche showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nietzsche has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Friedrich Nietzsche!
A relieved looking Friedrich Nietzsche thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.