PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Rodgers (ranked 4248 p4p, 24826 weight class) and Yawa Kiang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rodgers
vs
Kiang

180 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
160
4 - 10 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Melvin Rodgers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yawa Kiang!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodgers throws a sloppy head kick
and Kiang counters with a nice body kick.
Rodgers tries to clinch up but Kiang circles away and keeps his distance.
Kiang counters with a body kick.

Rodgers has closed the distance and engaged Kiang in a clinch.
Rodgers is pressed up against the cage. Kiang has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rodgers down to the mat. Rodgers avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rodgers dives in for a single leg takedown but Kiang sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kiang follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.

Kiang lands a takedown into guard.

Rodgers has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kiang is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Rodgers.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodgers manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rodgers wants to sweep but Kiang has passed to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiang landing strikes.
Rodgers is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Rodgers is trying to get back to half guard.
Rodgers is trying to buck Kiang off.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rodgers sneaks back into half guard.
Rodgers is looking to control Kiang's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rodgers avoid being mounted?
Kiang passes into side control, despite Rodgers's attempt to control the position.
Rodgers tries to improve position but can't.
Kiang controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiang trying to control the position but Rodgers is working away.
Rodgers tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rodgers being controlled for a moment.
Rodgers is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kiang has just dragged him back down to the mat.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rodgers throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kiang is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Rodgers with a body shot.
A head kick by Rodgers misses
and Kiang counters with a body kick that stops Rodgers in his tracks momentarily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rodgers is defended easily by Kiang.
Kiang follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Rodgers is breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kiang closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rodgers to the mat! Rodgers manages to get full guard.
Rodgers wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Kiang manages to pass to side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice sprawl there from Kiang as Rodgers shoots in.
Kiang shapes to counter with a head kick.
Kiang has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rodgers throws a head kick that misses.
Rodgers is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kiang sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rodgers misses with a head kick.
Nice jab there from Rodgers.
Rodgers tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kiang sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rodgers somewhat.
And Kiang responds with a good body kick, but Rodgers manages to step out the way in time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Melvin Rodgers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodgers misses with a low kick.
Rodgers closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kiang circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiang stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kiang wants it to stay on the feet.
Kiang throws a counter combo.

Kiang shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rodgers manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rodgers is wriggling around but Kiang manages to pass to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kiang stops Rodgers from getting back to his feet.
Kiang is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rodgers!
Kiang sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kiang wants to control the pace but Rodgers is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiang controlling the pace for now.
Rodgers tries to hold on but Kiang pushes him away.
Kiang can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rodgers is looking to escape.
Kiang tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers is desperately trying to improve his position but Kiang has a good base and remains in mount.
Kiang tries to control but Rodgers wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kiang avoids the attempt from Rodgers to control.
Kiang looking to control but Rodgers is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rodgers is looking to improve his position but Kiang isn't that keen on the idea.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kiang controlling from mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yawa Kiang showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodgers throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kiang's waist but Kiang gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rodgers off to one side.
Rodgers throws a lazy head kick
and Kiang counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

Kiang shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kiang showed some decent athleticism there.
Kiang is thwarting Rodgers's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kiang seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rodgers trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiang slows the pace down in half guard.
Rodgers trying to get back to full guard but Kiang takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Rodgers is squirming around, avoiding Kiang's attempts to control the action.
Rodgers is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rodgers is squirming around, avoiding Kiang's attempts to control the action.
Rodgers can't escape the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kiang wants to control the pace but Rodgers is squirming around nicely.
Rodgers regains half guard.
Rodgers trying to control from the bottom.
Rodgers is trying to control but Kiang manages to pass to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers is looking to get to half guard.
Kiang controlling from mount.
Rodgers is desperately trying to improve his position but Kiang has a good base and remains in mount.
Rodgers is working hard here to advance position.

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.
Rodgers wants to control but Kiang is having none of it.
Rodgers is desperately trying to improve his position but Kiang has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kiang cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Yawa Kiang is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kiang content just to control the position here.
Rodgers wants to hold on but Kiang pushes him away.
Melvin Rodgers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kiang controlling the position easily from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yawa Kiang comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kiang winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yawa Kiang!