PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tony Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Montaigue Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Montaigue Rhodes has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Tony Stark's chin.

Stark
vs
Rhodes

184 cm
25
170 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
183 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid 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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tony Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Montaigue Rhodes!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stark shoots in and bounces Rhodes off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rhodes is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rhodes controls Stark momentarily but Stark frees himself.

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

Stark has gone for a leg lock! Rhodes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Stark's guard.

Stark has his foot on Rhodes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rhodes works his way back into a safe position though.

Stark looking for a guillotine here but Rhodes defends easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Stark looking for a guillotine here but Rhodes defends easily.
Rhodes throwing strikes from guard but Stark blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Stark is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rhodes is aware though and is defending well.

Rhodes got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stark has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rhodes has managed to get both his arms back between Stark's legs - danger averted.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Stark is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rhodes landing some decent shots from guard.

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

Stark looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stark is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rhodes content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rhodes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rhodes chips away with some ground and pound.

Stark looking for subs off his back but Rhodes has passed one foot through into half guard.

Stark looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rhodes frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Rhodes with good strikes from the mount here!
Stark is wriggling around trying to escape.
Rhodes lands with some strikes.
Rhodes cracks Stark with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Rhodes is landing with some decent strikes but Stark is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Stark tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rhodes working the ground and pound effectively.
Stark takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes lands a heavy elbow.
Rhodes lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Rhodes with shots to the head and body - Stark looks very uncomfortable down there.
Stark is looking to get to half guard.
Rhodes lands a big shot there that rocks Stark but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rhodes lands a big elbow.
Rhodes dominating with strikes here.
Stark regains half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rhodes looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Rhodes winds up and cracks Stark with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rhodes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stark on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rhodes working Stark over with strikes.

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

Stark actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rhodes.
Stark avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rhodes.

Stark actively working from the bottom here.

Stark looking for submissions off his back.
Rhodes trying to pass the guard but Stark defending well.
Rhodes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stark's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rhodes lands with a punch from half guard.

Stark looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Stark looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Montaigue Rhodes dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rhodes gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

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

Stark thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Stark drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rhodes looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rhodes looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rhodes!
Stark takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rhodes is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Stark is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rhodes lands an elbow.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Stark regains half guard.

Stark actively working from the bottom here.

Stark is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rhodes pulls his head out easily.
Stark moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Stark looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rhodes landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rhodes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stark looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rhodes is one step ahead there.

Stark had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rhodes defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes is working Stark over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rhodes lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rhodes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rhodes advances to half guard.
Stark has hold of Rhodes's hands but Rhodes slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rhodes working Stark over with strikes.
Stark taking some punishment here, with Rhodes in his half guard.

Rhodes is looking for a kimura but Stark is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rhodes to get the leverage.

Stark is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rhodes pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rhodes seems to be looking for submissions.

Stark looking for submissions off his back.

Rhodes is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stark looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rhodes lands a nice short elbow.
Stark makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stark.

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

Stark is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rhodes defends well.

Stark throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rhodes distracts Stark with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes lands a couple of elbows.

Stark looking for a guillotine here but Rhodes defends easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rhodes's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rhodes landing with the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rhodes distracts Stark with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rhodes lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rhodes postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rhodes postures up in Stark's guard and throws a big left but Stark blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rhodes throwing strikes from guard but Stark blocks nicely.
Rhodes wants to pass the guard but Stark is keeping the position.

Stark is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rhodes defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Montaigue Rhodes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're 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.

Rhodes shoots and misses

and Stark decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rhodes's guard.
Rhodes keeping full guard, as Stark tries to pass.

Rhodes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rhodes can't keep his opponent in guard - Stark advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Stark is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rhodes is just riding it out for now. Stark eventually gives up the hold.
Rhodes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Montaigue Rhodes has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rhodes is defending against the submission attempts here by Stark.
Rhodes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rhodes is trying to control but can't.

Stark is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rhodes sees it coming and defends easily.

Stark seems to be looking for submissions.

Stark is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rhodes defends it well.

Rhodes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stark pulls his head out easily.

Stark is working for a kimura but Rhodes is defending it quite comfortably.
Rhodes makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rhodes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Stark looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rhodes connects with a nice short shot to Stark's temple.
Stark avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rhodes.
Stark is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rhodes scores with a couple of nice shots.

Stark looking for submissions off his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Stark looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rhodes lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stark looking for submissions off his back.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rhodes lands a nice short elbow.
Stark taking some punishment here, with Rhodes in his half guard.
Rhodes trying to pass the guard but Stark defending well.

Rhodes is working for a submission of some sort.
Stark slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Stark escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rhodes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stark looking for a sweep. Not yet Stark, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Stark has momentary wrist control but Rhodes slips an elbow through the middle.
Rhodes postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Stark looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Stark looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rhodes scoring with some ground and pound.

Stark has his foot on Rhodes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rhodes works his way back into a safe position though.
Rhodes scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rhodes's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Stark had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rhodes defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rhodes is working Stark over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tony Stark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rhodes scoring with punches to the head and body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tony Stark.
I think Rhodes has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Montaigue Rhodes!