PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nathan Rodgers (ranked 3949 p4p, 472 weight class) and Andrew Ewels (ranked 4042 p4p, 481 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Rodgers
vs
Ewels

160 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nathan Rodgers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Andrew Ewels!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rodgers looking to score a takedown here. Ewels is defending well but Rodgers drives through and ends up in Ewels's guard.

Ewels looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rodgers has picked Ewels up and slammed him! Ewels can't keep hold of the triangle and Rodgers manages to pass to side control!
Ewels is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ewels is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rodgers's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Ewels actively working from the bottom here.
Ewels has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rodgers is working away from the top position though.

Ewels looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodgers controlling the action here.
Ewels tries to kick Rodgers off but Rodgers keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers is taking a breather. Ewels says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Rodgers seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Ewels trying to control from the bottom.

Ewels has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Rodgers escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Rodgers!
You can see the frustration on Ewels's face as Rodgers controls the position.
Rodgers in side control lands a decent elbow.
Ewels takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Rodgers scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ewels to see if he's OK.
Rodgers is chipping away with strikes.
Rodgers tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Ewels has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ewels tries to improve position but can't.
Ewels is not content to let Rodgers control the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ewels is looking to regain half guard here but Rodgers keeps moving and retains side control.
Rodgers takes a little break here. Ewels wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ewels is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Rodgers really is a fat lump.
Rodgers scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Ewels looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ewels looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ewels!
Rodgers tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ewels tries to hold on but Rodgers postures up.
Rodgers scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ewels?
Rodgers lands with some strikes.
Rodgers landing strikes from the mount.
Rodgers is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Rodgers trying to control but Ewels is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rodgers working for a guillotine from mount but Ewels is in no mood to give up.
Rodgers controlling his opponent.
Rodgers wants to control the pace but Ewels is squirming around nicely.
Ewels is just holding on here. Rodgers manages to take his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodgers is landing with strikes. Ewels can't take much more of this.
Ewels tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Rodgers dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rodgers throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ewels tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rodgers is in Ewels's guard.

Ewels escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rodgers gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ewels working a defensive guard here.
Rodgers wants to stand but Ewels has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Rodgers is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ewels can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ewels working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rodgers has passed into half guard!
Rodgers wants to stand up but Ewels is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodgers has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Ewels defend it? Rodgers steps over the head and cranks it - Ewels is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Rodgers!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:07 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Nathan Rodgers!