PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Macho Alpha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anderson Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Macho Alpha has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Alpha
vs
Rodriguez

150 cm
27
130 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

165 cm
25
144 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Decent elbows
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Macho Alpha!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anderson Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Alyssa Summers and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alpha throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rodriguez was covering up waiting for the punch and Alpha finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Alpha stopping the sweep attempt from Rodriguez.
Alpha has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Rodriguez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Rodriguez working for a triangle but Alpha defends it easily.
Alpha cracks Rodriguez with a solid left hand.

Rodriguez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alpha defends well.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rodriguez is on top in guard.

Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Alpha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez won't allow Alpha to get back to his feet.
Rodriguez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alpha swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Alpha keeps moving.

Alpha pushes Rodriguez off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Rodriguez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rodriguez looks for a takedown but Alpha sprawls well.
Alpha tries to counter with a takedown but Rodriguez is quick to defend against it.
Alpha looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Alpha fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alpha lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rodriguez circles away quickly and effectively.
Rodriguez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Alpha gets caught napping as Rodriguez dives in and scores a takedown. Alpha manages to retain guard.
Alpha keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.

Rodriguez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Alpha is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rodriguez, into his guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rodriguez working a defensive guard here.

Rodriguez looking for a guillotine here but Alpha defends easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alpha throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodriguez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodriguez, not yet.
Rodriguez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rodriguez is trying to work for a kimura but Alpha is defending well.

Rodriguez seems to be looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alpha is trying to maintain the position but Rodriguez is very close to passing his half guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is looking to take a break and control but Alpha is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Alpha looks like he's trying to stand up.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Rodriguez working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

Alpha is defending against the submission attempts here by Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Alpha doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rodriguez.
Rodriguez wants to control but Alpha is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Alpha shoots in for a double leg but Rodriguez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Macho Alpha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Alpha.
Rodriguez stuffs the takedown attempt from Alpha. Alpha gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Macho Alpha. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Alpha or perhaps it was just good defense by Rodriguez, which made it look bad.

Rodriguez shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Alpha manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alpha keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.
Rodriguez might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Alpha haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Rodriguez throws a big right hand that misses.
Alpha keeping full guard, as Rodriguez tries to pass.

Rodriguez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Alpha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Alpha leaves Rodriguez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Macho Alpha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alpha goes for a double leg but Rodriguez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rodriguez continues to drive forward.
Rodriguez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Alpha scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rodriguez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rodriguez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alpha.

Rodriguez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Alpha might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rodriguez throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Rodriguez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alpha loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Alpha rolls with it to try and escape but Rodriguez cranks on the arm and Alpha is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Anderson Rodriguez!
Anderson Rodriguez is the new bantamweight champion!
Anderson Rodriguez managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Spartan Nutrition , into his post fight interview.