PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between William Wallace (ranked 6053 p4p, 477 weight class) and Rares Rusescu (ranked 3302 p4p, 343 weight class). William Wallace has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Wallace
vs
Rusescu

180 cm
21
168 lbs
1 - 0 - 1

173 cm
25
159 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, William Wallace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rares Rusescu!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rusescu misses with a takedown attempt
and Wallace counters with a three punch combo that has Rusescu backing up. Rusescu nods at Wallace to acknowledge the strikes.
Wallace swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wallace looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Wallace throws a series of punches but Rusescu avoids them all with ease.
Rusescu drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wallace defends it well.
Sloppy strikes from Wallace. Those never looked like landing.
Rusescu drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wallace defends it well.
Rusescu looks to land a combination but Wallace avoids it well.
Wallace circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rusescu takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rusescu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wallace paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wallace rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rusescu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wallace misses with a double jab

and Rusescu decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Wallace's 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!
Rusescu trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
Rusescu postures up in Wallace's guard and throws a big left but Wallace blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusescu trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
Rusescu throws a big elbow that misses.

Rusescu gets to his feet - Wallace follows without any prompting.
William Wallace seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rusescu drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rusescu prevents Wallace from getting back to his feet.
Rusescu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rusescu trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rusescu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rusescu controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rusescu trying to control the position from guard on top but Wallace is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rusescu throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wallace's waist but Wallace gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rusescu off to one side.

Rusescu drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Rusescu is looking to take a break and control but Wallace is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rusescu might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Wallace haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wallace on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Wallace tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Rusescu goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Wallace rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rusescu's guard! Nice work there by Wallace!
Rusescu wants to sweep but no luck.
Rusescu looking to control.
Rusescu wants to stand and escape but Wallace is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rusescu is on top in guard.

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 William Wallace will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Wallace thumps Rusescu with a low kick.
Rusescu is looking to clinch but Wallace is avoiding it.
Rusescu tries to clinch
and Wallace counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rusescu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Wallace sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rusescu somewhat.
Rusescu takes one on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wallace tests Rusescu's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rusescu takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rusescu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wallace swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wallace works over Rusescu's head and body with a nice combination.
Wallace loads up on a big right hand but Rusescu slips the punch.
Wallace connects with a right hand. Rusescu shakes it off.
Wallace misses with a double jab.
Wallace scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rusescu closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wallace circles away.
Rusescu fails to land the takedown.
William Wallace has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rares Rusescu.
Wallace connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Wallace is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Wallace jabs Rusescu right on the nose. Rusescu blinks but takes it well.
Rusescu looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rusescu drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rusescu trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rusescu decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Nice shot by Wallace.
Wallace lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rusescu looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Wallace is fending him off so far but Rusescu persists. Nope, Wallace circles away and we're back to standing.

Rusescu fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Wallace sprawls well initially but Rusescu persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wallace wants to get back to his feet.
Rusescu is looking to take a break and control but Wallace is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rusescu wants to pass to mount but Wallace is defending the position.
Rusescu trying to control from half guard but Wallace is working away.
Rusescu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Wallace's head.
Rusescu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wallace does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rusescu is pressing down on Wallace's thigh, looking to free his foot. Wallace is holding on for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
William Wallace is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rusescu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wallace.
Rusescu takes one on the button.
Wallace lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rusescu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Wallace lands a leg kick that knocks Rusescu off balance momentarily.
Wallace is looking to score with low kicks.
Rusescu shoots for a double leg takedown but Wallace sprawls well. He's pushed Rusescu's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Wallace seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A right-left combo lands from Wallace.
Rusescu takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Wallace looks to land a left hand but Rusescu moved out of range nicely.
Rusescu shoots in for a takedown but Wallace shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Wallace dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rusescu moves forwards but Wallace connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rusescu tries to clinch up but Wallace circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice shot lands for Wallace.
Wallace thows a left - swing and a miss!
Wallace looks to land a left hand but Rusescu moved out of range nicely.
Wallace lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rusescu's sensitive parts.
Wallace throws a series of strikes that have Rusescu backpedaling.
Rusescu darts in looking for a takedown but Wallace gets double underhooks and turns Rusescu into the cage.
Wallace stuffs the takedown attempt from Rusescu. Rusescu gets slowly back to his feet.
A little feinted left hand from Wallace on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch combination from Wallace misses.
Rusescu tries to counter by closing the distance.
Wallace is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rusescu can do to turn this around?
Wallace misses with a hook.
Rusescu ducks right into an uppercut from Wallace.
Rusescu has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusescu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wallace.
Rusescu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
William Wallace has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rares Rusescu.
Wallace tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Wallace swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Rusescu fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wallace, pushing him back against the cage.
Rusescu is trying to drag Wallace to the mat but Wallace just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Wallace is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Wallace escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wallace throws a shot from downtown. Rusescu moves away and avoids it.
Wallace bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rusescu's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rusescu moves out of range of the leg kick from Wallace.
Rusescu throws out a counter right but Wallace avoids it with no problem.
Wallace misses with a wild combination.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rusescu is defended easily by Wallace.
Rusescu looks for the body kick but Wallace saw that one coming.

Rusescu fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Wallace to the ground. Rusescu is now in Wallace's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rusescu wants to control from the top but Wallace keeps moving.
Wallace wants to stand up but Rusescu is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rusescu trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rusescu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rusescu trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
Rusescu not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Wallace is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rusescu is controlling him.

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

That's four 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.
Wallace misses with a looping right.
Wallace keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Rusescu moves into the clinch.
Wallace looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
William Wallace is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rusescu stalling in the clinch.
Wallace blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rusescu throws an elbow but misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wallace working hard to break the clinch.
Rusescu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wallace is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rares Rusescu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wallace wants to break free but Rusescu has control.

And that's the end of the fight!
William Wallace showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Wallace, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William Wallace!