PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hipolito Rhodes (ranked 25396 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elijah Evans Iv (ranked 6114 p4p, 522 weight class). Hipolito Rhodes is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Rhodes
vs
Evans Iv

151 cm
19
161 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

180 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hipolito Rhodes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Elijah Evans Iv!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rhodes enables Evans Iv to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rhodes manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Evans Iv accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Evans Iv looking to pass the guard.
Evans Iv works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Evans Iv decides to stand and escape the position.

Evans Iv instigates a clinch.
Rhodes could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Rhodes jumps guard but Evans Iv turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Evans Iv has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rhodes uses from the top position.
Evans Iv looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Evans Iv bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rhodes's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans Iv throws a big right hand that misses.
Rhodes is looking to stand up but Evans Iv isn't so interested in that idea.
Rhodes wants to sweep but no luck.
Rhodes being controlled here, momentarily.
Rhodes wants to stand up but Evans Iv is controlling him.
Evans Iv postures up in Rhodes's guard and throws a big left but Rhodes blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rhodes being controlled here, momentarily.
Evans Iv's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Rhodes really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...
It looks like Evans Iv might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Evans Iv decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans Iv seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Evans Iv postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Rhodes to stand up.

Evans Iv drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Evans Iv has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Evans Iv slips a straight right by Rhodes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Evans Iv shoots in and bounces Rhodes off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rhodes might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Evans Iv 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Evans Iv accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Evans Iv stands and throws Rhodes's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Evans Iv stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Rhodes avoids the head kick by Evans Iv.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Evans Iv dominated that 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.

Evans Iv rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rhodes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Evans Iv shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rhodes napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Evans Iv controlling from side mount.

Evans Iv is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rhodes has escaped the position, nice work there.

Evans Iv decides to stand back up. Evans Iv steps back and let's Rhodes get back to his feet.
Hipolito Rhodes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Evans Iv closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans Iv displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rhodes up against the cage.

Evans Iv drags the fight down to the ground.
Evans Iv throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Evans Iv looking for a sweep. Not yet Evans Iv, not yet.
Rhodes cracks Evans Iv with a solid left hand.

Evans Iv looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rhodes has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Evans Iv throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Evans Iv is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Evans Iv seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Evans Iv tries to clinch but Rhodes is having none of it.

Evans Iv scores with a takedown into Rhodes's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Evans Iv accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Evans Iv controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Evans Iv is controlling him.

Rhodes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Evans Iv gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Rhodes is working an open guard so Evans Iv takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Rhodes is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Evans Iv's half guard.
Elijah Evans Iv has got the better of the ground game so far.
Evans Iv preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Evans Iv is continuing to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Evans Iv showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Evans Iv throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rhodes was covering up waiting for the punch and Evans Iv finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Rhodes is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Evans Iv has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Evans Iv wants to break free but Rhodes has control.

Evans Iv has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Rhodes regains guard immediately.
Evans Iv trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Evans Iv is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Evans Iv stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Evans Iv bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Evans Iv has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Rhodes!
Evans Iv looking to control and managing it successfully.
Evans Iv throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rhodes because Evans Iv loaded up on that one.

Evans Iv working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Evans Iv is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Rhodes is in real trouble.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans Iv just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

Evans Iv is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Rhodes knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Rhodes for a finish.

Evans Iv working for a choke but Rhodes is defending well.
Good control from Evans Iv.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes can't escape the position.

Evans Iv is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Rhodes has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Rhodes is in bad spot here.

Rhodes is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
What can Rhodes do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Evans Iv keeps control of the position as Rhodes tries to break free.
Evans Iv trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Rhodes doesn't escape.
Hipolito Rhodes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Elijah Evans Iv is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elijah Evans Iv comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Evans Iv has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elijah Evans Iv!