PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Miller (ranked 4238 p4p, 4240 weight class) and Jason Hodges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Miller
vs
Hodges

182 cm
20
165
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
164
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shawn Miller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jason Hodges!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, David Hoff and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hodges darts in and clinches Miller up against the cage.
Hodges tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Miller just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hodges lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Hodges pulls Miller into guard.
Hodges wants to stand but Miller is controlling the position.

Miller gets to his feet. Hodges looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Miller defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hodges.
A head kick from Miller lands but Hodges takes it in his stride.

It looks like Jason Hodges has been cut.
Miller misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Miller misses with a combination
and Hodges counters with a one-two to the body.

Hodges clinches with his opponent.

Hodges manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hodges has control of Miller's left arm, preventing Miller from doing any damage.
Hodges really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Miller. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Miller gets to his feet. Hodges looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges blocks a head kick by Miller.

Hodges gets a clinch.
Miller is trying to force a seperation but Hodges has the dominant position.
Hodges softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hodges tries to pull guard but Miller forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Shawn Miller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Hodges.
Hodges cracks Miller with a nice body shot.
Miller is breathing heavily.
Miller wants to break the clinch but can't.

Hodges has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Miller uses from the top position.
Miller wants to get up but he can't break Hodges's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Miller won't allow Hodges to sweep him here.
Hodges is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Miller is controlling him.
Hodges looking to hit a scissor sweep but Miller is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodges is pulling down on Miller's head. It's preventing any offense from Miller, at least for the moment.
Hodges wants to stand up but Miller is controlling him.
Hodges seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Hodges clinches up with Miller and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hodges drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hodges keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Miller's efforts to push away.
Miller has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Miller gets underhooks to prevent Hodges's takedown attempt.
Hodges lands a body punch.

Hodges has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Miller uses from the top position.
Hodges is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Miller wants to stand but Hodges is controlling his posture from full guard.
Hodges looking for a sweep. Not yet Hodges, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller tries to stand but Hodges is controlling from the bottom.

Hodges is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Miller trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hodges's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Miller trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Hodges dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jason Hodges's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hodges fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Miller sprawls well initially but Hodges persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Hodges is looking for a kimura but Miller is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hodges to get the leverage.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hodges in particular looking to stall.

Hodges is working for a kimura but Miller is defending it quite comfortably.
Hodges looks to land a strike but Miller avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hodges trying to control but Miller is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Hodges gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Miller misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Miller misses with a head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Hodges moves into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Hodges - that landed with a thud.
Hodges throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Millers head.
Hodges tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Miller smiles and moves away.

Hodges has closed the distance and engaged Miller in a clinch.
Hodges lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Hodges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hodges digs a right hand into Miller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Miller's gas tank.
Hodges goes for a takedown attempt but Miller pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hodges shoots in but Miller avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shawn Miller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Hodges.
Miller pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hodges shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Miller as he avoids it easily.
Miller lands with a kick to the temple. Hodges shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hodges tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Miller defends well and Hodges ends up having to push Miller into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hodges has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Hodges closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Miller's guard.

Miller scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Miller swinging wildly here.
Hodges fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Miller avoids it really well and circles away.
Jason Hodges seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Miller has managed to clinch.
Miller looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Miller tries to circle away but Hodges has him pinned against the cage.
Hodges is trying to pull guard but Miller has him pressed against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Hodges.

Hodges gets control of Miller's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hodges will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Hodges is striking but Miller is not phased and passes to half guard.
Hodges wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Miller stands up from half guard.

Hodges pushes Miller up against the cage in a clinch.
A short right from Hodges.
Hodges has Miller pressed against the cage, preventing Miller from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Miller wants to get back to striking at distance but Hodges won't allow it.
Miller wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Miller wants to break free but Hodges has control.
Hodges is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Miller gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hodges lands a body shot.
Hodges is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Miller pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hodges keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Miller's efforts to push away.
Miller is trying to force a seperation but Hodges has the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jason Hodges will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jason Hodges's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

No luck for Hodges with that takedown attempt.

Hodges instigates a clinch.
Hodges scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hodges working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hodges keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Miller's efforts to push away.
Jason Hodges seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hodges tries for a takedown. No joy.
A right hand to the body from Hodges.
Hodges tries for a takedown but Miller manages to get underhooks.
Shawn Miller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Hodges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hodges tries to score a body lock takedown but Miller shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Miller wants to get back to striking at distance but Hodges won't allow it.
Miller tries to break free but Hodges pushes him back against the cage.
Hodges throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hodges takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A frustrated look appears on Miller's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hodges wants a takedown.
Miller is looking to break free of the clinch but Hodges has double underhooks.
Hodges lands a right hand.
Miller wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Miller is trying to push Hodges away but Hodges has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hodges jumps guard but Miller turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Miller wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hodges has him pressed against the cage.
Miller tries to break the clinch but Hodges is controlling the position.
Hodges is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Miller gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Miller is trying to break the clinch but Hodges has him pressed against the cage.
Miller wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hodges tries to pull guard but Miller holds him up against the cage and eventually Hodges drops back down to his feet.
Miller has had enough of the clinch but Hodges keeps him there for the moment.
Miller is trying to break the clinch but Hodges is controlling him.
Hodges tries to pull guard but Miller forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Miller has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Miller is trying to break the clinch but Hodges has him pressed against the cage.
Hodges tries to pull guard but Miller won't allow it.
Miller is trying to push Hodges away but Hodges has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Miller tries to circle away but Hodges has him pinned against the cage.
Miller wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hodges has him pressed against the cage.
Miller tries to break free but Hodges pushes him back against the cage.
Miller is pressed up against the cage. Hodges has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Miller down to the mat. Miller avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hodges avoids the body shot from Miller.
Miller looks to land a combination but Hodges avoids it well.
Hodges tries to score a power double leg takedown but Miller sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hodges somewhat.
Shawn Miller is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Miller throws a head kick that misses.
Hodges tries to counter by closing the distance.
Hodges closes this distance looking for a takedown but Miller circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hodges steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Miller.
Hodges shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Miller as he jumps to the side.
Miller lands with a kick to the temple. Hodges shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Hodges fails with the takedown.
Miller throws a series of punches but Hodges moves out of range.
Hodges fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Shawn Miller is winning the standup battle so far.
Hodges shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Miller but Miller pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Miller is looking to chop away at Hodges's legs.
Miller throws a head kick that misses

and Hodges moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hodges is trying to pull guard but Miller turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Miller wants to break the clinch but can't.
Miller wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hodges presses Miller against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Miller is trying to force a seperation but Hodges has the dominant position.
Miller tries to break free but Hodges pushes him back against the cage.
Hodges stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hodges tries to pull guard but Miller holds him up against the cage and eventually Hodges drops back down to his feet.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hodges.
Miller tries to land knees in the clinch but Hodges avoids the damage to the body.
Hodges is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Miller is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hodges lands a body shot.
Hodges tries to work over Miller's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shawn Miller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jason Hodges is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hodges prevents Miller from breaking the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shawn Miller.
I think Hodges 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Shawn Miller!