PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between David Gatti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gatti comes to the cage accompanied by Al Kapone - You Ain't Stoppin Me. Diego Rodriguez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gatti
vs
Rodriguez

179 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, David Gatti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Diego Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rodriguez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Gatti tries to roll over but Rodriguez keeps him under control.
Gatti is trying to control but can't.
Rodriguez is looking to advance position but Gatti won't allow it.
Rodriguez trying to control from half guard but Gatti is working away.
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. Rodriguez connects with a nice short shot to Gatti's temple.
Gatti trying to hold on to Rodriguez's head to control him but Rodriguez postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gatti is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gatti has hold of Rodriguez's hands but Rodriguez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rodriguez is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
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!
Gatti is looking for a sweep. Rodriguez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gatti is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rodriguez scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rodriguez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti is trying to get back to full guard.
Gatti is working hard here to advance position.
Rodriguez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gatti avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gatti has hold of Rodriguez's hands but Rodriguez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rodriguez is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rodriguez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rodriguez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gatti is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rodriguez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rodriguez's back!
I really don't envy Rodriguez right now.
Rodriguez trying to survive by controlling the hands.
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!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti controlling well, preventing Rodriguez from escaping the position.
Rodriguez has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Rodriguez looking very determined here, making life difficult for Gatti.
Rodriguez rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Gatti perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown. Gatti tries to sprawl out of it but Rodriguez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gatti manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rodriguez shoots in but Gatti avoids the takedown attempt easily.
David Gatti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rodriguez.
David Gatti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Rodriguez.
Gatti leaves Rodriguez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gatti is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rodriguez misses with a lunging right hand
and Gatti cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gatti staying out of range there.
Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown but Gatti manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rodriguez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rodriguez shoots in for a double leg but Gatti sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Good standup being displayed there by Gatti as he connects with a hook.
Gatti displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gatti's waist but Gatti gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rodriguez off to one side.
Gatti stuffs the takedown.
Diego Rodriguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodriguez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gatti swivels and escapes.
Rodriguez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gatti pinned against the cage. Gatti gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodriguez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gatti.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gatti thuds his right hand into Rodriguez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rodriguez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gatti's waist but Gatti gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rodriguez off to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Rodriguez dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rodriguez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rodriguez swings widly with a right hand
and Gatti counters with a nice uppercut.
Rodriguez throws a right hand that misses
and Gatti connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gatti is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Gatti lands a slapping body shot.
Rodriguez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gatti.
Gatti clobbers Rodriguez with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rodriguez shoots for a double leg takedown but Gatti sprawls well. He's pushed Rodriguez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rodriguez missing with a left hand there. Gatti was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gatti stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gatti wants it to stay on the feet.
David Gatti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Rodriguez.
Rodriguez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rodriguez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gatti counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rodriguez thinking.

Gatti gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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 in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti controls Rodriguez momentarily but Rodriguez frees himself.
Gatti avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rodriguez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gatti is on top in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rodriguez can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rodriguez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gatti manages to get himself to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gatti manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rodriguez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rodriguez tries to hold on but Gatti pushes him away.
Gatti controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti trying to control but Rodriguez is having none of it.
Diego Rodriguez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rodriguez tries to hold on but Gatti pushes him away.
Rodriguez bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
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!
Gatti preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rodriguez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gatti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rodriguez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gatti is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rodriguez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rodriguez works over Gatti with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gatti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gatti wants to sweep here but Rodriguez controlling him for the moment.
Rodriguez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gatti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rodriguez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rodriguez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gatti is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodriguez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gatti 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.
Rodriguez is looking to work some ground and pound but Gatti has wrist control.
Rodriguez trying to control but Gatti is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gatti's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodriguez throwing strikes from guard but Gatti blocks nicely.
Gatti looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rodriguez slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gatti preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rodriguez works over Gatti with some ground and pound from guard.
Rodriguez scoring with some ground and pound.
Rodriguez seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Rodriguez with a nice head shot there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rodriguez throws a strike but Gatti rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Rodriguez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodriguez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gatti avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gatti is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rodriguez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gatti counters with a right hand to the body.
David Gatti is winning the standup battle so far.

Gatti gets caught flat footed, as Rodriguez shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rodriguez preventing the sweep.
Gatti working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodriguez.
Gatti working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gatti looking for a sweep. Not yet Gatti, not yet.
Gatti controls Rodriguez momentarily but Rodriguez frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rodriguez tries to free his leg and advance position but Gatti is retaining full guard.

We're going to have a standup here because David Gatti wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Rodriguez throws a body punch but Gatti moves out of range.
Rodriguez looks to score with a jab to the body but Gatti is just out of range.
Rodriguez is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Gatti bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rodriguez shoots for a double leg takedown but Gatti sprawls well. He's pushed Rodriguez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rodriguez shoots in and drives through. Gatti sprawls well.
David Gatti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Rodriguez.
Gatti looks to land a combination but Rodriguez avoids it well.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Gatti shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rodriguez looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Diego Rodriguez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gatti sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gatti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rodriguez moves away.
A swing and a miss from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez just misses with a punch to the body.
No luck for Rodriguez with that takedown attempt.
Rodriguez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gatti.
Rodriguez swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Gatti counters with a series of strikes. Rodriguez will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodriguez swings for the body but Gatti moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Gatti as Rodriguez shoots in.
Gatti cracks Rodriguez with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gatti cracks Rodriguez with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rodriguez swings widly with a right hand
enabling Gatti to counter with a crisp jab.
Rodriguez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rodriguez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gatti moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gatti sprawls well. Gatti wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodriguez gets slowly back to his feet.
Gatti leaves Rodriguez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatti displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez misses with an uppercut.
Gatti slaps away a takedown attempt from Rodriguez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gatti lands with a nice body punch.
Rodriguez throws a jab but it's blocked by Gatti.
Decent striking displayed by Gatti there.
Rodriguez has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gatti finds it's way round the side to connect with Rodriguez's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gatti as he jumps to the side.
Rodriguez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gatti sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rodriguez somewhat.

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 David Gatti.
I think Rodriguez 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Rodriguez!