PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Victor Mordino (ranked 3265 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emanuel Rodrigez (ranked 2354 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mordino
vs
Rodrigez

187 cm
30
180 lbs
8 - 19 - 1

188 cm
33
169 lbs
14 - 24 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 19 - 1, fighting out of London, Victor Mordino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 24 - 0, fighting out of London, Emanuel Rodrigez!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mordino tries to counter with a takedown but Rodrigez is quick to defend against it.
Rodrigez shoots in but Mordino avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rodrigez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mordino but Mordino pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Victor Mordino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emanuel Rodrigez.
Rodrigez stuffs the takedown attempt from Mordino. Mordino gets slowly back to his feet.

Mordino clinches up with Rodrigez and pushes him back against the cage.
Rodrigez tries for a takedown. No joy.

Rodrigez gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mordino is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rodrigez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rodrigez told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigez trying to control the position from guard on top but Mordino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mordino bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rodrigez's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mordino content to stall in guard here.
Rodrigez pulls Mordino in close to prevent any damage.
Rodrigez keeping moving, preventing Mordino from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mordino sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rodrigez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mordino is fighting to break Rodrigez's control of his arms but Rodrigez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Mordino working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rodrigez keeping full guard, as Mordino tries to pass.
Rodrigez wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mordino seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mordino lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Mordino closes the distance and clinches up with Rodrigez, looking for a takedown. Mordino pushes Rodrigez against the cage but Rodrigez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mordino looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rodrigez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mordino tries to avoid it but Rodrigez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mordino to the ground. Mordino escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Rodrigez wants the takedown. Mordino is fighting it off but Rodrigez persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Mordino's guard against the cage.

Rodrigez stands and steps away. Mordino gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Rodrigez dives in and grabs Mordino's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mordino pushes down on Rodrigez's head and hops out.
Mordino dives in for a single leg takedown but Rodrigez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mordino shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rodrigez sprawls well. Rodrigez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mordino gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mordino wants to land a leg kick but Rodrigez is out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rodrigez has closed the distance and engaged Mordino in a clinch.

Rodrigez has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mordino uses from the top position.
Mordino is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Mordino is looking to advance position but Rodrigez has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Mordino wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Rodrigez.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mordino wants to control but Rodrigez is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Emanuel Rodrigez will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mordino's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mordino shoots and misses

and Rodrigez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rodrigez.
Mordino jumps guard but Rodrigez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Rodrigez drags the fight down to the ground.
Mordino slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rodrigez is on top in guard.

Mordino has his hands on Rodrigez's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodrigez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Mordino managing to control the position.
Rodrigez sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rodrigez's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rodrigez prevents Mordino from getting back to his feet.
Rodrigez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Rodrigez pushes Mordino up against the cage in a clinch.
Rodrigez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mordino avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Mordino is trying to force a seperation but Rodrigez has the dominant position.
Mordino letting Rodrigez take a breather here.
Mordino tries to circle away but Rodrigez has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Come on Rodrigez - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Rodrigez jumps guard but Mordino turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Rodrigez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mordino pulls his leg out and moves away.
Victor Mordino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emanuel Rodrigez.
Mordino throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rodrigez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Rodrigez has Mordino up against the cage in a clinch.
Mordino looking for a takedown.

Rodrigez has clasped his hands together around Mordino's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
What's Mordino going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Mordino is looking to get back to his feet here but Rodrigez is keeping cool and he's managed to take Mordino's back.
Rodrigez avoiding Mordino 's attempts to control his hands.
Rodrigez lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Mordino hold on?!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodrigez trying to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emanuel Rodrigez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rodrigez throws an overhand right that lands on Mordino's shoulder, as Mordino tries to avoid the shot.

Rodrigez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mordino, pushing him back against the cage.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Rodrigez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mordino was covering up waiting for the punch and Rodrigez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rodrigez trying to control the position from guard on top but Mordino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mordino 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodrigez not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Mordino is working an open guard so Rodrigez takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mordino throws out a leg kick but Rodrigez moves out of range and Mordino only half commits.
Rodrigez wants to counter with a clinch but Mordino pushes him away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mordino.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mordino or perhaps it was just good defense by Rodrigez, which made it look bad.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Rodrigez fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mordino to the ground. Rodrigez is now in Mordino's guard.
Emanuel Rodrigez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rodrigez slips nicely into half guard.
Rodrigez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mordino defending well though.
Rodrigez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Rodrigez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mordino does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mordino is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Mordino moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rodrigez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mordino is keeping the position for now.
Rodrigez content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Rodrigez dives in and scores a takedown into Mordino's guard.

Mordino pushes Rodrigez off and gets back to his feet.
Victor Mordino has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigez gets a clinch.
Rodrigez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mordino is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mordino wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rodrigez blocks a body shot from Mordino.
Mordino goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Rodrigez is trying to trip Mordino. He has hold of a leg but Mordino is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Rodrigez persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Mordino is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mordino drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emanuel Rodrigez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rodrigez 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emanuel Rodrigez!
In his post fight interview, Emanuel Rodrigez started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.