PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rasmus Soderstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Soderstrom comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Rammstein - Sonne kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rasmus Soderstrom told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Rhodes
vs
Soderstrom

175 cm
22
176 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Rhodes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rasmus Soderstrom!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soderstrom tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Rhodes scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Soderstrom 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.
The ground and pound from Rhodes seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Rhodes thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rhodes working away.
Rhodes in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Rhodes working away.

Rhodes tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rhodes has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rhodes working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

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.
Rhodes working the ground and pound but Soderstrom is defending the strikes.

Rhodes thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rhodes tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderstrom can't do much from the bottom here.
Rhodes working the ground and pound but Soderstrom is defending the strikes.
Soderstrom struggling a bit here.

That's four 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.
An elbow from Rhodes crashes against the mat.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Soderstrom darts in and clinches Rhodes up against the ropes.
Soderstrom connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rhodes's face.
Soderstrom using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Soderstrom lands a knee to the body.
Rhodes is breathing heavily.
Soderstrom lands a knee to the head.
Soderstrom landing knees to the head.
Soderstrom landing knees to the head.
Soderstrom landing knees to the head.
Soderstrom scores a nice knee to the body.
Rhodes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rhodes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Soderstrom landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by Soderstrom.
Rhodes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Soderstrom has him pressed against the ropes.
Rhodes tries to stall but Soderstrom uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Rhodes has had enough of the clinch but Soderstrom keeps him there for the moment.
Soderstrom with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rasmus Soderstrom dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Soderstrom clinches up with Rhodes and pushes him back against the ropes.
Soderstrom lands a nice knee to the body.
Soderstrom tries to land knees in the clinch but Rhodes avoids the damage to the body.
Soderstrom with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Rhodes is rocked!
Soderstrom is pressed up against the ropes. Rhodes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Soderstrom down to the mat. Soderstrom avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Oh Rhodes is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Soderstrom circles away from the clinch attempt.

Rhodes tries to keep at a distance but Soderstrom has taken the fight into the clinch.
Soderstrom misses with a knee to the head.
Rhodes seems to have got his legs back now.
Rhodes misses with an elbow strike.
Soderstrom tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Soderstrom misses with a knee strike.
Rhodes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Soderstrom avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Soderstrom lands a knee to the head.
Soderstrom landing knees to the body.
Soderstrom scores a nice knee to the body.
Soderstrom with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rhodes tries to pull guard but Soderstrom holds him up against the ropes and eventually Rhodes drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Rhodes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soderstrom misses with a knee strike.
Soderstrom unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rhodes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Soderstrom tries to land knees in the clinch but Rhodes avoids the damage to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Soderstrom missing with knees to the body.
Rhodes can't break the clinch.
Soderstrom tries a knee to the head but Rhodes blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Soderstrom gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Soderstrom tries to land knees in the clinch but Rhodes avoids the damage to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rhodes.
Rhodes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Soderstrom prevents it.
Rhodes fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Soderstrom crunches a lovely knee into Rhodes's ribcage.
Soderstrom landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Soderstrom.
Rhodes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Soderstrom fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Horrible takedown by Rhodes or perhaps it was just good defense by Soderstrom which made him look bad.

Rhodes feints and as Soderstrom raises his hands in defense, Rhodes changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Soderstrom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rhodes stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Soderstrom tries to clinch up but Rhodes circles away and keeps his distance.
Rhodes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rhodes shoots in but no luck this time.
Rhodes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Soderstrom tries to clinch up.

Soderstrom closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Soderstrom landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Soderstrom landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Soderstrom keeps control of Rhodes as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Soderstrom crunches a lovely knee into Rhodes's ribcage.
Soderstrom with a knee to the head.
Soderstrom connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rhodes's face.
Knees in the clinch landing for Soderstrom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderstrom lands a knee to the head.
Soderstrom landing knees to the head.
Soderstrom connects with a knee to the head.
Rhodes is looking to control Soderstrom's arms but Soderstrom gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rhodes has his back to the ropes.
Soderstrom crunches a lovely knee into Rhodes's ribcage.
Soderstrom crunches a lovely knee into Rhodes's ribcage.
Soderstrom lands a knee to the head.

It looks like John Rhodes has been cut.
Rhodes throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rasmus Soderstrom seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rhodes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Soderstrom landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Soderstrom connects with a knee to the head.
Soderstrom landing knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Soderstrom.
Soderstrom scores a nice knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rhodes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Soderstrom prevents Rhodes from breaking the clinch.
Rhodes tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Soderstrom crunches a lovely knee into Rhodes's ribcage.
Soderstrom using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Soderstrom landing knees to the head.
Rhodes pushes off an throws an elbow but Soderstrom leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Soderstrom landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Soderstrom unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rhodes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Soderstrom lands a knee to the body.
Rhodes wants to stall.
Rhodes is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderstrom misses with a knee to the head.
Rhodes goes for a takedown attempt but Soderstrom pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rhodes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Soderstrom as he jumps to the side.
John Rhodes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rhodes misses with a wild combination.
Soderstrom throws a sloppy head kick and Rhodes moves out of range easily.
Rhodes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rhodes tries to close the distance and clinch but Soderstrom swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Soderstrom instigates a clinch.
Rhodes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Soderstrom using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Soderstrom with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Soderstrom throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rasmus Soderstrom showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Rhodes's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rhodes cracks Soderstrom with a right hand to the side of the head.
Soderstrom tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rhodes keeps the fight on the outside.
Rasmus Soderstrom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rhodes wants to clinch up but Soderstrom keeps it at a distance.
Soderstrom tries to close the distance and clinch but Rhodes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Soderstrom throws a head kick but Rhodes moves out of range.
Soderstrom tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rhodes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Soderstrom slips under a jab from Rhodes.
Rhodes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Soderstrom as he avoids it easily.
Rhodes takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Soderstrom lands a high kick!

Soderstrom rushes Rhodes and presses him up against the ropes.
Soderstrom scores with a knee to the head.
Rhodes creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soderstrom landing knees to the head.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Rhodes just misses with a elbow thrown towards Soderstrom's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Soderstrom crunches a lovely knee into Rhodes's ribcage.
Soderstrom lands a knee to the body.
Soderstrom throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rhodes tries to pull guard but Soderstrom won't allow it.
Rhodes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Soderstrom just stands there and leans against the ropes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Rhodes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soderstrom on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rhodes throws an elbow that misses.
Rhodes throws a knee to the head but misses.
Soderstrom tries to land a knee to the head but Rhodes blocks with his arms.
Rhodes is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Soderstrom gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rhodes fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rhodes wants a takedown but no success here.
Soderstrom landing knees to the body.
Rhodes fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rhodes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rhodes looking to stall.
Knees in the clinch landing for Soderstrom.
Rhodes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rhodes throws a head punch that misses.
Soderstrom throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rhodes wants a takedown but no success here.
Soderstrom lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rhodes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Soderstrom has him pressed against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderstrom unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rhodes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Soderstrom landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Soderstrom landing knees to the body.
Soderstrom is pressed up against the ropes. Rhodes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Soderstrom down to the mat. Soderstrom avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Soderstrom clinches with his opponent.
Soderstrom lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Rhodes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Soderstrom.
Soderstrom landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Soderstrom with a knee to the head.
Rhodes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Soderstrom landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Rhodes jumps into guard, dragging Soderstrom to the mat.
Soderstrom looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Rhodes is looking for a triangle but Soderstrom pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes keeping moving, preventing Soderstrom from controlling successfully.
Soderstrom looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rhodes looking for a sweep. Not yet Rhodes, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rasmus Soderstrom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Soderstrom 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rasmus Soderstrom!