PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Presley Chai (ranked 562 p4p, 647 weight class) and Keith Rodgers (ranked 64 p4p, 79 weight class). Keith Rodgers acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Chai
vs
Rodgers

187 cm
26
185
11 - 6 - 0

184 cm
37
185
20 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

30th Century Beer Store
NARCOS

30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Presley Chai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 1, fighting out of London, Keith Rodgers !
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodgers lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rodgers looks to land a right hand but Chai moved out of range.
We've been hearing reports that Chai has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Chai swings for the body but Rodgers moves out of range.
Chai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Chai moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rodgers throws a leg kick
and Chai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rodgers misses with a looping right.
Rodgers throws a left and a right that both miss
and Chai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Chai tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rodgers scores with a hook to the body. Chai takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chai jabs Rodgers to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Chai misses with a wild body shot.

Rodgers closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Chai did well to prevent Rodgers getting side control.
Chai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chai taking some punishment here, with Rodgers in his half guard.
Chai is looking to improve his position.
Rodgers is nestled in close to Chai, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chai wants to control but Rodgers is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Chai regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rodgers stopping the sweep attempt from Chai.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Rodgers working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Chai is working hard here to advance position.
Rodgers throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rodgers working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Chai keeping moving, preventing Rodgers from controlling successfully.
Chai wants to sweep but no luck.
Chai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rodgers .
Rodgers with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rodgers works over Chai with some ground and pound from guard.
Rodgers preventing the sweep.
Rodgers lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rodgers postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chai wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers is in close to Chai's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rodgers trying to control but Chai is working from the bottom.
Rodgers with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rodgers missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rodgers with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rodgers working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rodgers postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rodgers lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rodgers 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rodgers lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chai working a defensive guard here.
Rodgers landing some decent shots from guard.
Rodgers throws a big elbow that misses.
Chai is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Chai is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Chai looking for a sweep. Not yet Chai, not yet.
Chai avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Chai wants to get back to his feet but Rodgers is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rodgers trying to control the position from guard on top but Chai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodgers postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodgers accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chai looking for a sweep. Not yet Chai, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rodgers avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rodgers with a flurry of punches that miss.
Chai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rodgers loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rodgers wants to pass the guard but Chai is keeping the position.
Chai is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rodgers makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rodgers .

Rodgers is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Rodgers has his foot on Chai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Chai works his way back into a safe position though.
Rodgers tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keith 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 couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Chai on the side of the head.
Chai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rodgers attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Decent striking displayed by Rodgers there.

Chai shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rodgers manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Chai throwing strikes but missing.
Rodgers trying to keep a closed guard but Chai is proving a slippery customer.

Rodgers looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Keith Rodgers has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chai sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rodgers has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rodgers looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodgers , not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers seems keen to control Chai's posture.
Chai tries to free his leg and advance position but Rodgers is retaining full guard.
Chai slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Rodgers throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Chai working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Chai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Chai lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Rodgers escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Chai gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Chai scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Rodgers looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Chai's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Chai looking to pass the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Chai's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Chai scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rodgers preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Chai is looking to advance position but Rodgers has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Rodgers wants to control the pace but Chai is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers lands a couple of good shots and Chai has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Chai rolls, trying to escape but Rodgers keeps control of the position.
Chai is keeping busy.
Chai is really stuck here.
Chai staying busy and making it hard for Rodgers to control.
Rodgers punches the canvas rather than the man.
Chai grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Rodgers punishes Chai with strikes from the back mount.
Chai tries to break free.
Rodgers is punishing Chai with strikes - can he finish him?!
Rodgers lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Chai looking very determined here, making life difficult for Rodgers .
Rodgers is punishing Chai with strikes - can he finish him?!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers landing with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chai trying to control the hands but Rodgers won't let him.
Good control from Rodgers .
Rodgers lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Chai breaks Rodgers 's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodgers trying to keep a closed guard but Chai is proving a slippery customer.
Chai postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chai makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Chai scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Chai is working Rodgers over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Chai is stalling in the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Rodgers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Rodgers scores with a jab to the head.
Rodgers connects with a looping right hand.
Chai moves out of range as Rodgers strikes.
Rodgers loads up on a big right hand but Chai slips the punch.
Good leg kick by Rodgers .
Chai catches Rodgers with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rodgers jabs at Chai's body.
Chai on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A good leg kick by Rodgers .
Rodgers swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rodgers defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chai.
Rodgers misses with a takedown attempt
and Chai counters with a nice body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rodgers throws a hook but Chai blocks it.
Rodgers keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodgers lands a jab to Chai's midsection.
Rodgers throws a head kick but Chai moves out of range.
Chai went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Rodgers looks to land a right hand but Chai moved out of range.
Keith Rodgers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rodgers .
Keith Rodgers seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rodgers connects with the punch.
Rodgers dives in for a single leg takedown but Chai sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rodgers scores with a nice right hand.

Chai rushes Rodgers and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Chai.
Chai wants to take the fight to the mat but Rodgers manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Presley Chai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chai throws a punch but it's blocked by Rodgers .
Rodgers tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rodgers goes for a takedown attempt but Chai pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rodgers takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Chai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rodgers .
Chai on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Keith Rodgers is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers misses with a head kick.
A little feinted left hand from Chai on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rodgers .
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rodgers tries to bum rush Chai with a series of wild strikes but Chai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Chai was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Chai darts in looking for a takedown but Rodgers gets double underhooks and turns Chai into the cage.
Chai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rodgers blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chai misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Chai gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Rodgers wants to control but Chai is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rodgers keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Chai is thwarting Rodgers 's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chai looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Chai seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rodgers manages to get to full guard.
Chai working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rodgers 's head.
Rodgers has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rodgers tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chai stays in close to Rodgers 's body and controls the position.
Rodgers wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodgers is pulling down on Chai's head. It's preventing any offense from Chai, at least for the moment.
Chai trying to control but Rodgers is working from the bottom.
Rodgers not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rodgers working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chai.
Rodgers can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Chai controls the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rodgers shoots in for a takedown but Chai shows good takedown defense.
Presley Chai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodgers misses with a lunging right hand
and Chai counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Keith Rodgers .
I've got Rodgers 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keith Rodgers !
Keith Rodgers decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.