PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Hodges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dusty Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Dusty Rhodes was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Hodges
vs
Rhodes

189 cm
30
215 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

150 cm
27
205 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Justin Hodges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dusty Rhodes!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rhodes lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hodges backs up against the cage.
Rhodes misses with the combination.
Rhodes throws a series of punches but Hodges moves out of range.
Rhodes scores with a jab to the body.

Rhodes shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rhodes keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Rhodes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hodges keeps working.
Hodges slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hodges throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Rhodes won't allow Hodges to sweep him here.
Hodges will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hodges bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rhodes's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hodges controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hodges trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hodges advances to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rhodes can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hodges working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rhodes is refusing to be controlled, as Hodges sits in half guard.
Hodges seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hodges is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rhodes!
Rhodes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hodges. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hodges landing shots from mount.
Rhodes is in a horrible position here. Hodges smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rhodes is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
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.
Hodges controlling the pace for now.
You get the feeling that Rhodes really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Hodges controlling the pace for now.
Hodges landing strikes, looking to finish!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hodges trying to control but Rhodes is having none of it.
Hodges controlling the pace for now.

Hodges looking for a guillotine from mount but Rhodes is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes taking shots to the head.
Rhodes is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hodges connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Rhodes takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hodges trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hodges avoids the attempt from Rhodes to control.
Hodges lands a nice shot to the head.
Hodges putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Hodges dominating with strikes here.

Rhodes is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hodges lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Rhodes is still in real trouble! Can Hodges finish him?
Hodges has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hodges drops a big elbow. That's hurt Rhodes! More shots from Hodges and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Justin Hodges!