PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jose Rodrigo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shelby Toe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Toe's choice of entrance music: Here Comes the Boom!. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Rodrigo
vs
Toe

180 cm
26
222 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

195 cm
27
221 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Pirates Powder
The Dark Side

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jose Rodrigo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Shelby Toe!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Chris Saunders and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Toe dives in and scores a takedown into Rodrigo's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Toe throws a big elbow that misses.
Rodrigo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Toe.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Toe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Toe trying to control but Rodrigo is working from the bottom.
Toe postures up in Rodrigo's guard and throws a big left but Rodrigo blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Toe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Toe trying to control but Rodrigo is working from the bottom.
Rodrigo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rodrigo is wriggling around but Toe manages to pass to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toe throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Toe trying to mount his opponent but Rodrigo defends it.
Toe looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Toe wants to free his trapped foot but Rodrigo is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Toe is trying to control the action in half guard but Rodrigo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toe missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Toe not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rodrigo has hold of Toe's hands but Toe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rodrigo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Toe.

Toe seems to be looking for submissions.
Toe content to control rather than advance.

Toe wants to work for an arm triangle but Rodrigo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo is trying to control but can't.
Rodrigo is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Toe wants to pass to mount but Rodrigo is defending the position.
Toe is keen to just control but Rodrigo is a slippery customer.
Toe with the ground and pound but Rodrigo uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Toe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Toe engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Toe connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toe is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Toe wants to pass the guard but Rodrigo is keeping the position.
Toe trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodrigo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Toe looking to sit in guard and control but Rodrigo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo throws a strike but Toe rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Toe throws a strike but Rodrigo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Rodrigo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Toe is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rodrigo looking to pass the guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo landing some decent shots from guard.
Toe looking for a sweep. Not yet Toe, not yet.
Rodrigo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rodrigo cracks Toe with a solid left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodrigo wants to get up but he can't break Toe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rodrigo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Toe looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Toe bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rodrigo's guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Toe keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rodrigo's head.
Toe stops Rodrigo from standing up.
Rodrigo has momentary wrist control but Toe slips an elbow through the middle.
Toe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Toe wants to control from the top but Rodrigo keeps moving.
Toe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rodrigo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Toe is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Toe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rodrigo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Toe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Toe postures up in Rodrigo's guard and throws a big left but Rodrigo blocks it.
Rodrigo keeping full guard, as Toe tries to pass.
Toe wants to control from the top but Rodrigo keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Toe fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rodrigo avoids it really well and circles away.
Toe tries for a takedown but Rodrigo circles away easily

and Rodrigo counters with a shoot takedown. Toe fights it but they end up in guard.
Rodrigo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo throwing strikes but missing.
Rodrigo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rodrigo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rodrigo throws a big elbow that misses.
Rodrigo postures up and lands a big shot to Toe's brow.
Rodrigo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rodrigo is looking to work some ground and pound but Toe has wrist control.
Rodrigo throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Toe holds on and takes a little breather.
Toe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shelby Toe dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice straight punches there by Toe. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Toe.
Toe shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rodrigo sprawls well. Rodrigo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Toe gets slowly back to his feet.
Toe misses with a body shot.
Toe shoots in for a double leg but Rodrigo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rodrigo stuffs the takedown.
Jose Rodrigo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shelby Toe.

Toe shoots in and gets a takedown into Rodrigo's guard.

Toe has gone for a leg lock! Rodrigo slips out almost immediately though and dives into Toe's guard.
Shelby Toe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rodrigo throwing strikes from guard but Toe blocks nicely.
Rodrigo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo with a nice head shot there.
Toe looking to control.
Rodrigo is looking to work some ground and pound but Toe has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rodrigo is looking to work some ground and pound but Toe has wrist control.
Rodrigo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rodrigo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Toe's head.
Toe keeping moving, preventing Rodrigo from controlling successfully.
Rodrigo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rodrigo preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo throws a strike but Toe rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Toe throws a big right hand that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rodrigo is trying to control the position but Toe postures up.
Toe is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Toe throws an elbow that misses. Rodrigo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Toe's guard. Nice move by Rodrigo!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toe looking to control.
Rodrigo throwing strikes from guard but Toe blocks nicely.
Toe keeping moving, preventing Rodrigo from controlling successfully.
Rodrigo throws a strike but Toe rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Toe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodrigo is keeping the position for now.
Toe stands up over Rodrigo, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toe trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rodrigo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Toe.
Rodrigo 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.
Toe looking to sit in guard and control but Rodrigo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Toe not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rodrigo throws a strike but Toe rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Toe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo keeping moving, preventing Toe from controlling successfully.
Rodrigo working a defensive guard here.
Rodrigo keeping moving, preventing Toe from controlling successfully.
Toe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Toe throws a big right hand that misses.
Toe wants to control from the top but Rodrigo keeps moving.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Shelby Toe was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Toe drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rodrigo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rodrigo holds on and takes a little breather.
Rodrigo wants to sweep but no luck.
Toe looking to pass the guard.
Toe trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Toe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodrigo is keeping the position for now.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Rodrigo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Toe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Toe wants to pass the guard but Rodrigo is keeping the position.
Toe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Toe keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rodrigo's head.
Toe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Toe is looking to work some ground and pound but Rodrigo has wrist control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Toe forces his way into half guard.
Rodrigo wants to improve his position but Toe is controlling well.

Toe is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rodrigo has managed to free his arm - good work.
Toe throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Toe in particular looking to stall.
Toe wants to take a breather but Rodrigo is having none of it.
Rodrigo is in trouble now - Toe has advanced to mount!
Toe trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Toe throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shelby Toe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

No joy there for Toe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rodrigo tries to clinch up but Toe circles away and keeps his distance.

Toe closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rodrigo's guard.
Rodrigo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Toe.
Toe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rodrigo is keeping the position for now.
Toe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Toe wants to pass the guard but Rodrigo is keeping the position.
Toe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Toe trying to control but Rodrigo is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Toe passes Rodrigo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Toe sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rodrigo defending well though.
Toe missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Toe is trying to control the action in half guard but Rodrigo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Toe thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rodrigo's head.
Toe wants to take a breather but Rodrigo is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo won't allow Toe to pass to mount.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Rodrigo is defending against the submission attempts here by Toe.
Toe tries to pass to full mount but Rodrigo defends it.
Rodrigo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Toe.
Rodrigo is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Toe.
Toe missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Toe stalling.
Toe not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Toe is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rodrigo!
Rodrigo is bucking up trying to escape but Toe cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toe throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Toe with a couple of short strikes.
Rodrigo is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Toe looking to control and managing it successfully.
Toe landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Toe can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rodrigo is looking to escape.
Toe lands a nice shot to the head.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Toe has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rodrigo's face.
Rodrigo holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Toe tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Rodrigo manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by Rodrigo, under a barage of strikes from Toe.
Rodrigo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Toe.
Toe thows a huge punch but Rodrigo dodges it nicely.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Toe is trying to work for a kimura but Rodrigo is defending well.
Toe throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Rodrigo to regain full guard.
Toe is pushing down on Rodrigo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rodrigo is fighting to maintain full guard but Toe has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rodrigo regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Toe.
Toe must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Toe throws a big right hand that misses.
Toe trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodrigo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Toe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Toe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shelby Toe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo wants to get back to his feet but Toe is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Toe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Toe trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodrigo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Shelby Toe wasn't active enough on the ground.

Toe closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rodrigo's guard.
Rodrigo managing to control the position.
Rodrigo wants to get back to his feet but Toe is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Toe with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rodrigo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Toe.
Rodrigo working a defensive guard here.
Toe trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodrigo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Toe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Toe is looking to work some ground and pound but Rodrigo has wrist control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Toe trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodrigo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shelby Toe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Toe has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight for Shelby Toe!
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight for Shelby Toe!
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight for Shelby Toe!

Shelby Toe wins by unanimous decision!
Shelby Toe is the new light heavyweight champion!
Shelby Toe very nearly forgot to thank Pirates Powder amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.