PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Corey Rodriguez (ranked 3911 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mohammed Al Shazlee (ranked 6015 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rodriguez
vs
Al Shazlee

185 cm
25
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Corey Rodriguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mohammed Al Shazlee!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Sandra Marshall and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Shazlee misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rodriguez swats away the attempt to clinch by Al Shazlee.

Al Shazlee moves into the clinch.
Rodriguez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Al Shazlee to keep the fight standing.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but Al Shazlee holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodriguez drops back down to his feet.

Rodriguez pulls guard.
Al Shazlee is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Let's hope that Al Shazlee has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Shazlee postures up.
Rodriguez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Al Shazlee controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Al Shazlee stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rodriguez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Al Shazlee 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.

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.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rodriguez fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Corey Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez lands a right hook to the body.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Al Shazlee sprawls well. Al Shazlee wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rodriguez gets slowly back to his feet.

Al Shazlee shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rodriguez napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rodriguez is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Rodriguez is not content to let Al Shazlee control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Shazlee tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodriguez is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Al Shazlee moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sloppy strikes there by Al Shazlee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The ground and pound from Al Shazlee seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Al Shazlee working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Al Shazlee tries to stand but Rodriguez is controlling his head.
Rodriguez striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Al Shazlee wants to stand but Rodriguez is controlling his arm.
Rodriguez wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Al Shazlee wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rodriguez, who protects the arm well.
Al Shazlee trying to control the action but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohammed Al Shazlee dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Al Shazlee tries to close the distance and clinch but Rodriguez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The crowd cheers as Rodriguez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Al Shazlee doesn't seem phased though.
Al Shazlee is looking to clinch.
Al Shazlee gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Rodriguez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez jumps guard but Al Shazlee turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Al Shazlee being controlled against the cage.
Al Shazlee is looking to break free of the clinch but Rodriguez has double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Shazlee is looking to break free of the clinch but Rodriguez has double underhooks.
Al Shazlee wants to get back to striking at distance but Rodriguez won't allow it.
Al Shazlee jumps guard but Rodriguez stands there with Al Shazlee around his waist. Al Shazlee gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rodriguez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Al Shazlee has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Shazlee gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Al Shazlee stops a takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Corey Rodriguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Al Shazlee jumps guard and drags Rodriguez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Al Shazlee tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Al Shazlee has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Al Shazlee is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Shazlee tries to stand but Rodriguez is controlling from the bottom.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet but Al Shazlee is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Al Shazlee is looking to work some ground and pound but Rodriguez has wrist control.
Al Shazlee sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rodriguez wants to stand up but Al Shazlee is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to sweep but no luck.
Rodriguez keeping moving, preventing Al Shazlee from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rodriguez.

Al Shazlee moves into range and clinches up with Rodriguez.
Al Shazlee has had enough of the clinch but Rodriguez keeps him there for the moment.
Al Shazlee wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rodriguez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Al Shazlee.
Rodriguez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Al Shazlee is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Shazlee is looking to take this one to the mat.
Al Shazlee looking to stall.
Al Shazlee tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rodriguez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rodriguez tries to pull guard but Al Shazlee holds him up against the cage and eventually Rodriguez drops back down to his feet.
Rodriguez gets underhooks to prevent Al Shazlee's takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Shazlee is pressed up against the cage. Rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Al Shazlee down to the mat. Al Shazlee avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Rodriguez drives through and clinches with Al Shazlee against the cage.
Al Shazlee tries to pull guard but Rodriguez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
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 Corey Rodriguez will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rodriguez shoots in looking for a takedown but Al Shazlee manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rodriguez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Al Shazlee closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Al Shazlee wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rodriguez keeps working.
Rodriguez keeping his opponent close.
Al Shazlee trying to control the action but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Shazlee tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

Al Shazlee decides to stand up, so the ref orders Rodriguez to his feet.
Nice straight punches there by Al Shazlee. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Al Shazlee.
Al Shazlee fails with a takedown attempt.
Al Shazlee shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rodriguez pinned against the cage. Rodriguez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Rodriguez tenderised Al Shazlee's leg. Al Shazlee is trying to keep his angry face on.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Al Shazlee.
Corey Rodriguez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohammed Al Shazlee.
Al Shazlee shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Al Shazlee is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rodriguez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rodriguez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Al Shazlee swivels and escapes.
Al Shazlee tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rodriguez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Al Shazlee somewhat.
Al Shazlee takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al Shazlee dives in and scores a takedown into Rodriguez's guard.
Al Shazlee trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodriguez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodriguez wants to sweep but no luck.
Rodriguez working a defensive guard but Al Shazlee passes into half guard.
Al Shazlee seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rodriguez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Al Shazlee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Shazlee trying to control from half guard but Rodriguez is working away.
Rodriguez is trying to stand up here but Al Shazlee is controlling him well.
Al Shazlee seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rodriguez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rodriguez desperately trying to maintain half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Al Shazlee fails with the takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Shazlee 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 gets tackled into the cage by Al Shazlee. Al Shazlee maintains the clinch.
Rodriguez gets underhooks to prevent Al Shazlee's takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mohammed Al Shazlee comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Al Shazlee 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mohammed Al Shazlee!