PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hector Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riki Shi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodriguez comes to the cage accompanied by EL Chapo. This should be fireworks!

Rodriguez
vs
Shi

186 cm
25
212 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hector Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Riki Shi!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shi misses with a head kick.
Riki Shi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Shi.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rodriguez!

It looks like Riki Shi has been cut.
Shi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rodriguez throws a big counter combination but Shi scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Rodriguez throws a series of punches but Shi moves out of range.
Shi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Shi.
Rodriguez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Shi throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
We've been told by Rodriguez's head coaches at Komplete MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shi lands with a kick to the ribs.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Shi.
Shi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shi misses with a head kick.
Rodriguez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Hector Rodriguez has been cut.
Rodriguez dives in and grabs Shi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shi pushes down on Rodriguez's head and hops out.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nice sprawl there from Shi as Rodriguez shoots in.
Rodriguez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rodriguez is breathing heavily.
Shi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rodriguez's sensitive parts.
Shi throws a nice head kick!
Shi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez takes a head kick and keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodriguez dodges the punch combination from Shi.
Rodriguez shoots in for a double leg but Shi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rodriguez slips a jab and a cross from Shi.
Rodriguez shoots in and drives through. Shi sprawls well.
Shi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Riki Shi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Rodriguez shoots for a takedown but Shi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Shi.
Shi throws a head kick that half lands.
Shi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rodriguez in his tracks.
Shi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but Shi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shi tries a head kick but it misses.
Rodriguez appears to be looking for a big counter.
Rodriguez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shi.
Rodriguez has a takedown stuffed.
Shi lands a head kick!
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Shi.
Rodriguez seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A head kick misses from Shi.
Rodriguez throwing a counter right hand but Shi manages to avoid it.
Rodriguez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rodriguez somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Shi.
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch but Shi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rodriguez blocks a head kick by Shi.
Rodriguez blocks a head kick by Shi.
Shi plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Shi throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Shi lands a high kick!
Shi throws a sloppy head kick
and Rodriguez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Shi.
Shi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rodriguez misses with a series of wild punches.
Shi feints the counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shi plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Shi throws a head kick that half lands.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Shi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rodriguez's head.
Rodriguez takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shi but Shi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Shi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shi throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shi throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Rodriguez blocks a head kick by Shi.
Shi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Shi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riki Shi dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rodriguez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shi circles away.
Shi swinging wildly here.
Nice takedown defense from Shi. No joy for Rodriguez on that attempt.
Shi tries a head kick but it misses.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Shi.
Rodriguez walks forward, straight into a front kick from Shi.
Rodriguez blocks a head kick by Shi.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shi as he jumps to the side.
Shi drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rodriguez defends it well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Shi.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Shi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rodriguez's head.
Shi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rodriguez is looking to counter the offense by Shi and move into the clinch.
Hector Rodriguez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shi connects with the punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Shi lands with a kick to the temple. Rodriguez shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick misses from Shi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Shi as Rodriguez shoots in.
Rodriguez shoots in but Shi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shi lands a high kick!
Shi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shi throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rodriguez.
Shi throws a head kick but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Rodriguez throws a nice looking combination but Shi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shi drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rodriguez defends it well.
Shi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rodriguez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shi pinned against the cage. Shi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And Shi tries to counter it with a takedown but Rodriguez pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shi scores with a head kick.
Rodriguez throws a nice looking combination but Shi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
As Shi looks to move away, Rodriguez throws a big counter combo but Shi just gets out of the way.

Rodriguez is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Shi's half 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.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Shi has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Rodriguez is on him like a limpet, forcing Shi back against the cage.

Shi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Shi.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Shi.
Rodriguez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rodriguez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shi lands a head kick!
Shi stuffs the takedown attempt from Rodriguez. Rodriguez gets slowly back to his feet.
Shi scores with a head kick.
Shi throws a head kick that misses.
Shi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Shi throws a head kick that misses
and Rodriguez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rodriguez will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Rodriguez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Shi throws a head kick that misses.
Shi dodges the punch combination from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Shi.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rodriguez's head.
Shi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shi as he avoids it easily.
Shi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Rodriguez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Shi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Shi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rodriguez throws a nice looking combination but Shi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Riki Shi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shi swinging wildly here.
Shi leaves Rodriguez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Shi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shi tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Shi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A decent looking cross lands there for Shi.
Shi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Shi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riki Shi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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!

Rodriguez scores with the left hand. Shi knows he should have avoided that one.
Rodriguez dives in and grabs Shi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shi pushes down on Rodriguez's head and hops out.
Shi throws a nice head kick!
Rodriguez closes the distance and clinches up with Shi, looking for a takedown. Rodriguez pushes Shi against the cage but Shi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shi is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Shi slaps away a takedown attempt from Rodriguez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shi throws a nice looking combination but Rodriguez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Shi lands with an overhand left.
Shi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rodriguez's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shi tries a head kick but it misses.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but Shi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Shi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
Shi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rodriguez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shi swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez blocks a head kick by Shi.
Shi throws a head kick that misses.
Rodriguez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Shi throws out a loose jab but Rodriguez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shi thows a body kick. Rodriguez tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A combination from Shi does no damage.
Shi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rodriguez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shi swivels and escapes.
Shi scores with a head kick. Rodriguez tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Rodriguez throws a series of punches but Shi moves out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Rodriguez crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Shi - the referee stops the clock and Rodriguez gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Shi. Rodriguez manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Rodriguez looks to land a right hand but Shi moved out of range.
Shi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rodriguez.
Shi lands with a kick to the temple. Rodriguez shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rodriguez gets a takedown into half guard.
Rodriguez lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Rodriguez is going to stand back up.
Shi is trying to stand back up but Rodriguez is controlling him
Rodriguez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rodriguez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Shi is trying to stand back up but Rodriguez is controlling him
Rodriguez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Shi tries to kick Rodriguez off but Rodriguez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Rodriguez stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Shi throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Shi throws a head kick that Rodriguez semi-blocks.
Nice sprawl there from Shi as Rodriguez shoots in.
Shi feints the counter takedown.
Shi lands with a slapping head kick.
Shi throws a jab but it's blocked by Rodriguez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez slips a jab and a cross from Shi.
Shi throws a lazy head kick
and Rodriguez counters with a right hand to the body.
Rodriguez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shi's waist but Shi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rodriguez off to one side.
Shi throws a nice head kick!
Rodriguez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shi's waist but Shi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rodriguez off to one side.
Shi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shi lands with a kick to the temple. Rodriguez shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Rodriguez blocks a head kick by Shi.
Shi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Shi shows good takedown defense.
Shi throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.
Rodriguez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shi tries to avoid it but Rodriguez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shi to the ground. Shi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Shi connects with a high kick.
Rodriguez shoots for a takedown but Shi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A telegraphed right hand from Rodriguez misses the target.
Shi tries a head kick but it misses.
Riki Shi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Shi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hector Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head kick from Shi lands but Rodriguez takes it in his stride.
Rodriguez shoots for a double leg takedown but Shi sprawls well. He's pushed Rodriguez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rodriguez throws a series of punches but Shi moves out of range.
Shi scores with a push kick.
Rodriguez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Shi.
Shi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt - Shi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Shi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Shi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rodriguez's head.
Shi lands with a slapping head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Riki Shi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shi 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Riki Shi!
Hector Rodriguez was interviewed post fight and said 'Unlucky, unlucky'.