PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abdur Rahman Hodges (ranked 2359 p4p, 254 weight class) and Ryland Rasmussen (ranked 3309 p4p, 347 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rahman Hodges
vs
Rasmussen

170 cm
20
158 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

167 cm
20
160 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abdur Rahman Hodges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryland Rasmussen!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jorge Garcia and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hodges throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hodges throws a leg kick that misses.
Rasmussen lands a jab to Hodges's midsection.
Rasmussen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rasmussen doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Hodges swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Rasmussen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hodges won't be happy with that.
Rasmussen lands a decent elbow from side control.
Hodges wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Rasmussen scores with punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rasmussen working the head with strikes.
Rasmussen has knee on belly and moves into mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hodges really wants to buck Rasmussen off and get back to his feet.
Rasmussen looking to control but Hodges is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasmussen with good strikes from the mount here!
Hodges taking shots to the head.
Rasmussen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Rasmussen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hodges really wants to buck Rasmussen off and get back to his feet.

Rasmussen working for a guillotine from mount but Hodges is in no mood to give up.
Rasmussen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hodges is looking to escape.
You get the feeling that Hodges really doesn't like being in this position too much.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Rasmussen working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Let's hope that Rasmussen 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.
Rasmussen connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Hodges wants to get back to his feet.
Rasmussen wants to control the pace but Hodges is squirming around nicely.
Rasmussen controlling from mount.

Rasmussen looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Rasmussen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen tries to control but Hodges wriggling away.
Rasmussen won't let Hodges get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Rasmussen unloading with bombs!
Rasmussen wants to control the pace but Hodges is squirming around nicely.
Hodges is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Hodges is squirming around, avoiding Rasmussen's attempts to control the action.

Rasmussen wants to finish this one by submission but Hodges is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Rasmussen.
Hodges is trying to stand.
Rasmussen working Hodges over with strikes here.
Rasmussen landing shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen trying to control but Hodges is having none of it.
Hodges is trying to stand up.

Hodges somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Rasmussen misses with a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rasmussen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hodges swivels and escapes.
Rasmussen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rasmussen scores with a head kick. Hodges tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Rasmussen just misses with a punch to the body.
Rasmussen shoots in for a takedown but Hodges shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hodges blocks a head kick by Rasmussen.
Hodges is looking to counter with head kicks.
Hodges chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hodges cracks the inside of Rasmussen's front leg.
Hodges lands a high kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A head kick misses from Hodges.
Rasmussen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hodges.
Hodges keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rasmussen blocks the body kick.
Rasmussen misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rasmussen. Hodges does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rasmussen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hodges stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rasmussen blocks a head kick by Hodges.
Hodges throws a push kick but Rasmussen slaps the foot to one side.
Hodges with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rasmussen to score with a decent uppercut.
Hodges connects with a solid leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasmussen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hodges.
Abdur Rahman Hodges is winning the standup battle so far.
Hodges turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rasmussen shoots in but no luck this time.
Hodges lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rasmussen's sensitive parts.
Rasmussen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasmussen avoids the head kick by Hodges.
Rasmussen now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Hodges connects with a leg kick. Rasmussen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hodges takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hodges tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rasmussen is able to avoid easily.
Rasmussen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hodges throws a leg kick
and Rasmussen counters with a slapping leg kick.
Rasmussen avoids the head kick by Hodges.
Rasmussen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hodges rather than just go for the knockout.
Hodges throws a leg kick which misses Rasmussen's front leg but catches the back leg as Rasmussen tries to avoid it.
Rasmussen throws a head kick that misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hodges, right into the meat.
Hodges throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Rasmussen feints and as Hodges raises his hands in defense, Rasmussen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rasmussen pushing down on Hodges's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rasmussen is looking for a kimura but Hodges is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rasmussen to get the leverage.
Rasmussen trying to control from half guard but Hodges is working away.
Hodges is trying to stand back up but Rasmussen is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen trying to control the pace.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rasmussen lands a nice short elbow.
Rasmussen looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Rasmussen is trying to control. Hodges wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rasmussen tries to pass to full mount but Hodges defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hodges is trying to stand.
Hodges is refusing to be controlled, as Rasmussen sits in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters circling a little - Hodges finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Hodges lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rasmussen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rasmussen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hodges avoids the head kick by Rasmussen.
Rasmussen tries to land a front kick but Hodges steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hodges throws a low kick but Rasmussen moves out of range easily.
Abdur Rahman Hodges is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Rasmussen misses.
A head kick from Rasmussen lands but Hodges takes it in his stride.
Rasmussen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hodges. Hodges obviously looking to wear him down.
Nice body punch from Hodges.
Rasmussen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hodges thows a body kick. Rasmussen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rasmussen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hodges sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rasmussen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Rasmussen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hodges sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rasmussen somewhat.
Abdur Rahman Hodges has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryland Rasmussen.
Rasmussen is breathing heavily.
Hodges uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rasmussen.
Rasmussen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hodges defends it nicely.
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 Abdur Rahman Hodges will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rasmussen throws a head kick but Hodges moves out of range.
Hodges throws a head kick but Rasmussen moves out of range.
Hodges connects with a high kick.
Rasmussen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hodges throws a body kick that misses.
Rasmussen follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Hodges throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hodges throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Hodges takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rasmussen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hodges as he avoids it easily.
Hodges drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasmussen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hodges misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rasmussen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hodges throws a series of punches but Rasmussen moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hodges rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rasmussen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hodges misses with a kick to the body

and Rasmussen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rasmussen 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.

Hodges working for a triangle but Rasmussen defends it easily.
Ryland Rasmussen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rasmussen prevents Hodges from getting back to his feet.
Rasmussen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Rasmussen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rasmussen stops Hodges from getting back to his feet.
Rasmussen tries to pass to full mount but Hodges defends it.
Hodges is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rasmussen working Hodges over with strikes.
Rasmussen is trying to control. Hodges wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rasmussen stops Hodges from getting back to his feet.
Rasmussen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hodges keeps working.
Rasmussen stalling.
Hodges wants to get back to his feet.
Hodges wants to improve his position but Rasmussen is controlling well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen wants to control but Hodges is keeping him busy.
Hodges is looking to escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hodges swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hodges slips a jab from Rasmussen.
Hodges slips a jab from Rasmussen.
Hodges misses with a double jab.
The fighters circling - Rasmussen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hodges keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Abdur Rahman Hodges is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hodges scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rasmussen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hodges doesn't seem bothered though.
Hodges scores with a head kick. Rasmussen tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Hodges feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rasmussen's calf.
Hodges avoids the head kick by Rasmussen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Rasmussen there.
A jab from Rasmussen misses.
Hodges misses with a wild combination.
Rasmussen throws a combination. Hodges tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hodges on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rasmussen avoids the head kick by Hodges.
Hodges wants to slow Rasmussen down by chopping away at his legs.
Rasmussen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A cross from Hodges lands.
Rasmussen has a takedown stuffed.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ryland Rasmussen.
I think Rasmussen 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryland Rasmussen!