PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mark Dai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rogelio Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Dai
vs
Rodriguez

175 cm
29
185 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

180 cm
29
180 lbs
18 - 14 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mark Dai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 3, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rogelio Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Leandro Rodrigues and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez slaps away a takedown attempt from Dai, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dai misses with a straight right.
Dai shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rodriguez defends it nicely.
Dai misses with a takedown
and Rodriguez counters with a three punch combo that has Dai backing up. Dai nods at Rodriguez to acknowledge the strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Dai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rodriguez wants it to stay on the feet.
Dai takes a swing at Rodriguez's ribcage but misses.
Rodriguez swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Dai counters with a shoot takedown. Rodriguez fights it but they end up in guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dai accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dai postures up in Rodriguez's guard and throws a big left but Rodriguez blocks it.

Rodriguez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dai has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dai being controlled here momentarily.
Dai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rodriguez is trying to control the position but Dai postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodriguez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rodriguez is trying to control the position but Dai postures up.

Rodriguez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Dai throwing strikes but missing.

Rodriguez looking for a guillotine here but Dai defends easily.
Rodriguez seems keen to control Dai's posture.
Rodriguez trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dai loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rodriguez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dai.
Dai throws a big right hand that misses.

Rodriguez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dai is aware though and is defending well.
Dai working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rodriguez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Rodriguez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rodriguez is looking for a triangle but Dai pushes his legs off easily.
Dai stands up over Rodriguez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rodriguez wants to sweep here but Dai controlling him for the moment.
Rodriguez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dai scoring with punches to the head and body.
Dai throws an elbow that misses. Rodriguez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dai's guard. Nice move by Rodriguez!
Rodriguez stopping the sweep attempt from Dai.
Dai manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rodriguez manages to get himself to full guard.
Dai with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dai stopping the sweep attempt from Rodriguez.
Dai postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dai scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rodriguez controls Dai momentarily but Dai frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dai wants to pass the guard but Rodriguez is keeping the position.
Dai postures up and lands a big shot to Rodriguez's brow.
Dai wants to pass the guard but Rodriguez is keeping the position.
Rodriguez is trying to keep Dai in close.
Dai landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dai stands up over Rodriguez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Rodriguez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rodriguez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dai cracks Rodriguez with a solid left hand.
Dai preventing the sweep.
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 Mark Dai will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dai lands a slapping body shot.
Dai takes a swing at Rodriguez's ribcage but misses.
Rodriguez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rodriguez slaps away a takedown attempt from Dai, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dai fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rodriguez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice shot by Rodriguez.

Dai shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rodriguez's guard.
Dai landing some decent shots from guard.
Dai throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodriguez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dai postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dai is looking to work some ground and pound but Rodriguez has wrist control.
Rodriguez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dai.
Dai in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rodriguez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dai passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rodriguez takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Rodriguez manages to get back to half guard.
Rodriguez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dai's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dai's back!
Rodriguez trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Dai just trying to survive but Rodriguez is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Rodriguez is trying to stick to Dai's back but Dai is turning into Rodriguez. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Rodriguez's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Dai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dai is one step ahead there.
Dai postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rodriguez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dai postures up.
Rodriguez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dai postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Rodriguez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dai gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dai makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rodriguez looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodriguez, not yet.
Dai is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dai postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dai in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rodriguez is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dai accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rodriguez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dai.
Rodriguez working a defensive guard here.
Dai tries to free his leg and advance position but Rodriguez is retaining full guard.

Rodriguez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dai is aware though and is defending well.

Rodriguez has his foot on Dai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dai works his way back into a safe position though.
Dai connects with a couple of short punches.
Dai keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rodriguez's head.
Dai throws a big right hand that misses.
Mark Dai overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dai cracks Rodriguez with a solid left hand.
Dai working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodriguez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rodriguez is breathing heavily.
Rodriguez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rodriguez looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodriguez, not yet.

Dai drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rodriguez manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Dai has Rodriguez in his guard.
Dai wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rodriguez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dai swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dai can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rodriguez controls the pace.
Rodriguez won't allow Dai to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Dai dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Dai fails with the takedown
and Rodriguez counters with a two punch combo.
Rodriguez stuffs the takedown attempt from Dai. Dai gets slowly back to his feet.

Dai gets caught flat footed, as Rodriguez shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Dai wants to sweep here but Rodriguez controlling him for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodriguez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodriguez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dai preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Dai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dai is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Dai manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dai landing strikes from the mount.
A nice elbow there by Dai.
Dai fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Dai punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rodriguez is working to get back to half guard.
The referee warns Rodriguez that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Dai lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dai working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Rodriguez is rocked!
Dai landing strikes from the mount.
Rodriguez is still in real trouble! Can Dai finish him?
Dai avoids the attempt from Rodriguez to control.
Rodriguez manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Dai scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Rogelio Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dai wants to work for an arm triangle but Rodriguez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ground and pound from Dai.
Ground and pound from Dai.
Ground and pound from Dai.
Dai takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Dai is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Dai is working for a submission of some sort.
Dai seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Dai not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dai missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rodriguez is trying to control but can't.
Rodriguez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dai throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Rodriguez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dai pulls his head out easily.
Rodriguez tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Rodriguez seems to have recovered his senses.
Dai is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Dai scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Dai.
Dai missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rodriguez gets full guard.
Dai wants to control from the top but Rodriguez keeps moving.
Dai stopping the sweep attempt from Rodriguez.
Dai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rodriguez working a defensive guard here.
Dai postures up in Rodriguez's guard and throws a big left but Rodriguez blocks it.
Dai throwing strikes but missing.
Rodriguez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mark Dai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodriguez, not yet.
Dai slips nicely into half guard.
Rodriguez is refusing to be controlled, as Dai sits in half guard.
Rodriguez tries to roll over but Dai keeps him under control.

Rodriguez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dai pulls his head out easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rodriguez is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dai trying to control from half guard but Rodriguez is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Dai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dai, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Dai!