PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jean Jaques Laroque (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodrigo Nogueira comes into the arena with Nogueira blaring out of the sound system. Laroque has chosen Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) as his entrance music. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rodrigo Nogueira
vs
Jaques Laroque

191 cm
23
235 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

188 cm
21
237 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Likes ground

FIT FOR LIFE
Rocha Nutrition

FIT FOR LIFE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jean Jaques Laroque!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Leandro Rodrigues and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigo Nogueira shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Laroque as he jumps to the side.
Rodrigo Nogueira has a takedown stuffed.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws a jab when Laroque was well out of range.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice takedown defense from Laroque. No joy for Rodrigo Nogueira on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodrigo Nogueira misses with a straight right.
Laroque bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rodrigo Nogueira shoots in but Laroque avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laroque shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rodrigo Nogueira shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Laroque as he avoids it easily.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laroque feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Rodrigo Nogueira is pulling down on Laroque's head to control his posture.
Rodrigo Nogueira striking off his back but it's not causing Laroque any problems.

Rodrigo Nogueira looking for a guillotine here but Laroque defends easily.
Laroque wants to control from the top but Rodrigo Nogueira keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rodrigo Nogueira preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Laroque postures up and lands a big shot to Rodrigo Nogueira's brow.
Rodrigo Nogueira looking to control.

Rodrigo Nogueira looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Laroque passes into side control.
Rodrigo Nogueira is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laroque wants to control but Rodrigo Nogueira is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Rodrigo Nogueira's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rodrigo Nogueira sneaks back into half guard.
Laroque is keen to just control but Rodrigo Nogueira is a slippery customer.
Rodrigo Nogueira makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rodrigo Nogueira.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rodrigo Nogueira is on top in guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laroque swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira wants to control from the top but Laroque keeps moving.
Laroque not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rodrigo Nogueira with a lazy takedown attempt

and Laroque counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Laroque.
Laroque wants to control from the top but Rodrigo Nogueira keeps moving.
Laroque should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Laroque throws a big right hand that misses.
Rodrigo Nogueira looking to control but Laroque passes into half guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira is trying to stand up here but Laroque is controlling him well.
Rodrigo Nogueira is looking to get back to is feet but Laroque passes into side control.
Rodrigo Nogueira sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira works his way to full guard. Good work.
Laroque preventing the sweep.
Rodrigo Nogueira looking to control.
Laroque is breathing heavily.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws a couple of heel strikes.

Rodrigo Nogueira throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rodrigo Nogueira is trying to keep Laroque in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigo Nogueira looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Laroque passes into side control.
Rodrigo Nogueira gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigo Nogueira with the active half guard here but Laroque passes nicely into side control.
Laroque throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rodrigo Nogueira is looking to reverse the position.
Rodrigo Nogueira isn't going anywhere.
Rodrigo Nogueira sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rodrigo Nogueira is pressing down on Laroque's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Rodrigo Nogueira escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Laroque gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rodrigo Nogueira doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rodrigo Nogueira fails with the takedown

and Laroque counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rodrigo Nogueira!
Rodrigo Nogueira tries to reverse the position but Laroque maintains control.
Rodrigo Nogueira squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Rodrigo Nogueira is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Laroque takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rodrigo Nogueira wants to control but Laroque is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira tries to hold on but Laroque pushes him away.
Rodrigo Nogueira is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rodrigo Nogueira slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rodrigo Nogueira.

Rodrigo Nogueira is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Laroque frees his head nicely. Oh but Rodrigo Nogueira has switched to an armbar! Laroque is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira retains his heavyweight title!