PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Russ Wess (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randy Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rhodes comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Imperial March (L.O.D. Rage Mix) kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Wess
vs
Rhodes

160 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

174 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Russ Wess!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Randy Rhodes!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rhodes scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rhodes seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Wess controlling the position for now.
Wess wants to control but Rhodes is keeping busy.

Rhodes decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body kick from Wess.
Rhodes doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Wess counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wess dives in for a single leg takedown but Rhodes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Rhodes gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wess drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rhodes gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Rhodes breaks the clinch.

Rhodes pushes Wess up against the cage in a clinch.

Wess escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rhodes.
Rhodes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Russ Wess. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wess lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rhodes circles away quickly and effectively.

Wess gets caught flat footed, as Rhodes shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rhodes is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wess looking for a sweep. Not yet Wess, not yet.
Rhodes controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Wess might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Wess preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rhodes is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rhodes looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wess trying to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A combination from Rhodes does no damage.
Rhodes throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Wess.
Wess throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rhodes fails with a takedown attempt.
Wess defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rhodes.
Wess lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Wess does no damage.

Wess gets caught napping as Rhodes dives in and scores a takedown. Wess manages to retain guard.
Rhodes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Wess looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wess is breathing heavily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rhodes's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rhodes is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Wess is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Rhodes dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rhodes moves into the clinch successfully.
Wess tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Rhodes drags the fight down to the ground.
Randy Rhodes has got the better of the ground game so far.

Rhodes is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Rhodes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rhodes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wess's waist but Wess gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rhodes off to one side.
Nice sprawl there from Rhodes as Wess shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rhodes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Russ Wess is winning the standup battle so far.
Wess misses with a takedown attempt - Rhodes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rhodes is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Wess with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wess tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rhodes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wess throws a hook but Rhodes avoids it easily.
Rhodes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wess lands with a slapping head kick.
Rhodes dives in and grabs Wess's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wess pushes down on Rhodes's head and hops out.
Wess feinted with a counter takedown.
Russ Wess has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Rhodes.
Rhodes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rhodes.
Wess misses the body punch
and Rhodes counters with a big head kick but Wess shrugs it off.

Rhodes moves into range and clinches up with Wess.
Wess is pressed up against the cage. Rhodes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wess down to the mat. Wess avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rhodes is breathing heavily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rhodes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Wess misses

and Rhodes moves into the clinch.
Rhodes prevents Wess from breaking the clinch.
Wess drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wess scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rhodes wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Wess breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rhodes gets caught flat footed, as Wess shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Rhodes kicks Wess off and gets to his feet.

Wess gets tackled into the cage by Rhodes. Rhodes maintains the clinch.

Rhodes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wess closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rhodes circles away.
Wess misses with a body kick.

Rhodes drives through and clinches with Wess against the cage.
Rhodes prevents Wess from breaking the clinch.
Wess is trying to break the clinch but Rhodes is controlling him.

Rhodes manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wess is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Rhodes manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Rhodes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Wess fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Wess as Rhodes shoots in.

Rhodes clinches up against the cage.

Wess has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rhodes uses from the top position.
Wess knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rhodes on the ground.
Wess trying to keep a closed guard but Rhodes is proving a slippery customer.

Rhodes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Wess manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rhodes has Wess in his guard.

Rhodes looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Rhodes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Wess tries to close the distance and clinch but Rhodes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Rhodes pushes Wess up against the cage in a clinch.
Rhodes is trying to break the clinch but Wess is controlling him.

Wess breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wess moves out of range as Rhodes throws a body kick.
Russ Wess is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wess looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Wess tries to clinch but Rhodes is having none of it.

Wess bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Rhodes explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wess darts in looking for a takedown but Rhodes gets double underhooks and turns Wess into the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wess shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rhodes but Rhodes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rhodes wants to counter with a clinch but Wess pushes him away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Rhodes fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Wess to the ground. Rhodes is now in Wess's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes stands up over Wess, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Wess has his foot on Rhodes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rhodes works his way back into a safe position though.
Rhodes controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rhodes's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Rhodes lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rhodes stays in close to Wess's body and controls the position.
Rhodes working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Wess's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rhodes lands a couple of digs.
Rhodes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rhodes is working Wess over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rhodes slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rhodes is working Wess over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Rhodes stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rhodes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wess.

Rhodes has managed to clinch.

Rhodes manages to pull guard.
Rhodes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Rhodes's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Randy Rhodes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Rhodes got a little sloppy there for a moment and Wess has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rhodes has managed to get both his arms back between Wess's legs - danger averted.
Russ Wess has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Wess looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

And that's the end of the fight!
Randy Rhodes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rhodes 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Randy Rhodes!
Randy Rhodes was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.