PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Matos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lucio Rodrigues (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Matos might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Linkin Park - New Divide. Rodrigues has chosen Sandstorm as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Matos
vs
Rodrigues

186 cm
21
186 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

180 cm
27
197 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lucas Matos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lucio Rodrigues!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Luis Engracia and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigues throws the left hand but Matos avoids the punch easily.
Matos leaves Rodrigues with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Matos takes one to the chin there.
Matos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rodrigues circles away.
Rodrigues throws a jab when Matos was well out of range.
Matos avoids the body shot from Rodrigues.
Matos shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rodrigues as he jumps to the side.
Nice shot lands for Matos.
Matos shoots in and drives through. Rodrigues sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucas Matos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left lands for Rodrigues.
Matos scores with a jab to the head.
Rodrigues thows a body shot but no joy.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Matos!
Rodrigues lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodrigues lands a jab to Matos's midsection.
Rodrigues lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues avoids the body shot from Matos.
Rodrigues shoots in and drives through. Matos sprawls well.
Lucio Rodrigues seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rodrigues drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Rodrigues is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Matos is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rodrigues wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matos keeps working.
Matos pushes Rodrigues away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rodrigues gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Matos regains half guard.

Matos kicks off Rodrigues and gets to his feet.

Matos dives in and scores a takedown into Rodrigues's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Matos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Matos wants to control from the top but Rodrigues keeps moving.
Matos looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Matos is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matos wants to control from the top but Rodrigues keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Matos tries to free his leg and advance position but Rodrigues is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Lucas Matos just wasn't active enough.

Rodrigues gets caught flat footed, as Matos shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Matos pushing down on Rodrigues's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Matos not doing much here.

Rodrigues actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Matos is trying to work for a kimura but Rodrigues is defending well.
Rodrigues is trying to control but Matos manages to pass to mount!
Matos misses with a head shot.
Rodrigues is trying to escape the mount.
Rodrigues regains half guard.

Rodrigues looking for a kimura from the bottom but Matos passes into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Matos tries for a kimura but Rodrigues is defending well.
Rodrigues is trying to improve his position.

Matos is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rodrigues knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rodrigues is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Matos has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rodrigues is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lucas Matos will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Matos has his takedown stuffed
and Matos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rodrigues. Matos does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rodrigues swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Matos checks the leg kick nicely there.
Matos scores with a hook.
Rodrigues dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Rodrigues dives in and scores a takedown into Matos's guard.
Matos bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rodrigues's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matos preventing the sweep.
Matos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rodrigues swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matos slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matos tries to move to mount but Rodrigues blocks the move with his legs.
Matos postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Matos working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Matos wants to control but Rodrigues is keeping him busy.
Rodrigues sneaks back into half guard.
Rodrigues is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matos is trying to control the action in half guard but Rodrigues is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Matos prevents Rodrigues from standing back up.
Still in half guard, Matos seems content to control.
Rodrigues makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rodrigues.
Matos trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Matos drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rodrigues looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rodrigues looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rodrigues!
Matos tries to bench press Rodrigues off him but Rodrigues keeps the position.

Rodrigues decides to stand back up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodrigues throws a sloppy body shot
and Matos counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rodrigues but Rodrigues pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucas Matos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matos fails with the takedown
and Rodrigues counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Rodrigues pushes Matos up against the cage in a clinch.

Rodrigues has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Matos uses from the top position.
Lucas Matos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rodrigues tries to strike from the bottom.
Matos forces his way into half guard.
Rodrigues is looking for a sweep. Matos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Matos sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rodrigues defending well though.
Matos not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rodrigues is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matos is looking to pass Rodrigues's guard but actually Rodrigues recovers to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rodrigues is on top in guard.
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!

Matos had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rodrigues defends it easily.
Rodrigues preventing the sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Matos is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rodrigues trying to control but Matos is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lucio Rodrigues will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Matos shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rodrigues counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Matos thinking.
Matos bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Matos changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rodrigues tries to avoid it but Matos manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rodrigues to the ground. Rodrigues escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rodrigues throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matos misses with a takedown

and Rodrigues counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rodrigues.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucas Matos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodrigues trying to control but Matos is working from the bottom.

Matos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rodrigues wants to pass the guard but Matos is keeping the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodrigues working some strikes from top position.
Matos 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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matos bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rodrigues's guard.
Rodrigues wants to sweep but no luck.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Matos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Matos postures up in Rodrigues's guard and throws a big left but Rodrigues blocks it.
Matos trying to control but Rodrigues is working from the bottom.
Matos wants to pass the guard but Rodrigues is keeping the position.
Matos is looking to advance position but Rodrigues has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Rodrigues pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Rodrigues cracks Matos with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matos takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Rodrigues lands a heavy elbow.
Rodrigues manages to capitalize on a mistake by Matos to take his back!

Matos is trying to defend against the choke here but Rodrigues has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Rodrigues Tightens the hold and Matos taps out furiously! Rodrigues displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Lucio Rodrigues!
Lucio Rodrigues thanked the fans post fight for their support.