PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Veljko Bakocevic (ranked 3048 p4p, 283 weight class) and Alexander Rhodes (ranked 3959 p4p, 337 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Bakocevic
vs
Rhodes

177 cm
20
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
26
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Veljko Bakocevic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alexander Rhodes!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Roberts and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bakocevic throws a right hand that Rhodes ducks under and follows up with a left that Rhodes also avoids with ease.
Bakocevic shoots in looking for a takedown. Rhodes tries to sprawl out of it but Bakocevic keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rhodes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Bakocevic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rhodes, pushing him back against the cage.

Rhodes decides to pull guard.
Bakocevic trying to control the position from guard on top but Rhodes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rhodes keeping full guard, as Bakocevic tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bakocevic drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rhodes looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rhodes looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rhodes!

Rhodes wants to control but Bakocevic is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakocevic is working to avoid the ground and pound but Rhodes connects with a decent elbow.
Rhodes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bakocevic keeps working.
Rhodes cracks Bakocevic with a big right hand but Bakocevic just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Bakocevic can't do much from the bottom here.
Rhodes creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Rhodes trying to control the position but Bakocevic is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakocevic is looking for a sweep.
Rhodes working the ground and pound from side control.
Rhodes lands some shots froms side control.
Rhodes cracks Bakocevic with a big right hand but Bakocevic just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Rhodes trying to control the position but Bakocevic is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bakocevic takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakocevic wants to get back to his feet but Rhodes is dominant here and he's now got Bakocevic's back!
Bakocevic is keeping busy.
Rhodes has the hooks in. Bakocevic is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Rhodes lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rhodes avoiding Bakocevic 's attempts to control his hands.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Rhodes. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
The referee is taking a good look at Bakocevic as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Rhodes!
Rhodes looking to soften up his opponent with punches.

Bakocevic is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes is scoring with a succession of shots from the back. Bakocevic is covering up - he's had enough and the ref steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexander Rhodes!