PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Josip Ruzic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Arealius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arealius has chosen Ministry Rock as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ruzic
vs
Arealius

185 cm
20
192 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
190 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Josip Ruzic!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anthony Arealius!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruzic connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Arealius moves out of range as Ruzic strikes.
Arealius misses with a series of wild punches.
Ruzic moves out of range of the leg kick from Arealius.
Arealius slips a straight right by Ruzic.
Arealius misses with a few strikes there.
Arealius throws a right and a left that Ruzic avoids nicely.
Ruzic misses with a double jab
and Arealius makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Arealius connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ruzic's hands.
Ruzic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Arealius.
Ruzic scores with a punch to the head.
Anthony Arealius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ruzic lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Arealius has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Arealius and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Arealius uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ruzic.
Arealius lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruzic misses with the combination.
Ruzic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Arealius sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Arealius!
Arealius throws a head kick that half lands.
Arealius lands a head kick. Ruzic smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Ruzic cracks Arealius with an open hand slap.
Arealius pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ruzic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Arealius cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ruzic takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruzic misses with a two punch combination.
Arealius connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ruzic. Ruzic circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Arealius misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arealius with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Arealius lands with a hook. Ruzic tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Arealius slips a straight right by Ruzic.
Ruzic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Arealius counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Arealius throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Arealius looks to land a body kick but Ruzic moved away.
Ruzic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Arealius counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Arealius misses with a combination
and Ruzic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ruzic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Arealius.
Ruzic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Arealius counters with a series of strikes. Ruzic will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arealius misses with a combination
and Ruzic counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice shot lands for Ruzic.
Ruzic looks to land a right hand but Arealius moved out of range.
Ruzic throws a series of punches but Arealius avoids them all with ease.
Arealius throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ruzic counters with a three punch combo that has Arealius backing up. Arealius nods at Ruzic to acknowledge the strikes.
Arealius tries a head kick but it misses.
Ruzic looks to land a combination but Arealius avoids it well.
Arealius connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ruzic takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Arealius throws a combination that misses
and Ruzic counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ruzic is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ruzic throws a leg kick that is checked
and Arealius counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Arealius feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ruzic's calf.
Arealius looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Arealius misses with a series of wild punches.
Arealius throws a right hand that Ruzic ducks under and follows up with a left that Ruzic also avoids with ease.
Anthony Arealius is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Arealius attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Arealius throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ruzic.
Ruzic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Arealius counters with a nice leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ruzic stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Arealius.
Ruzic fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anthony Arealius will probably get the nod.
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.

Arealius slips a straight right by Ruzic.
Arealius checks a leg kick nicely.
Ruzic throws out a powerful jab.
Arealius lands a jab.
Arealius misses with a head kick.
Ruzic looks to throw the jab but Arealius is out of range.
Arealius throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ruzic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Arealius scores with a hook.
Arealius looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ruzic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Arealius.
Ruzic just misses with a punch to the body.
Arealius avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruzic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Arealius dodges the punch combination from Ruzic.
Arealius throws a low kick but Ruzic avoids it.
A punch combination from Arealius misses.
Ruzic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Arealius counters with a one-two to the body.
Ruzic throws a right and a left that Arealius avoids nicely.
Josip Ruzic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ruzic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Arealius.
Arealius plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Josip Ruzic has been cut.
Ruzic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Arealius throws out the jab.
A punch lands to the side of Ruzic 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Arealius.
Arealius moves out of range of the strikes.
Ruzic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ruzic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ruzic throws a combination. Arealius tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A swing and a miss from Arealius.
Arealius swinging wilding here.
Ruzic has his takedown stuffed
and Arealius counters with a straight right hand.
Ruzic throws a hook but Arealius avoids it easily.
Arealius misses with a double jab.
Arealius cracks Ruzic with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Arealius.
Arealius swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ruzic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Arealius counters with a stiff right hand.
Ruzic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Arealius counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ruzic's knee momentarily.
Anthony Arealius seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Arealius throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ruzic counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Arealius!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ruzic won't let Arealius get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Arealius is in all sorts of trouble here.
Ruzic with shots to the head and body - Arealius looks very uncomfortable down there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arealius really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arealius wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Ruzic softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Arealius is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Ruzic off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Arealius trying to get back to his feet but Ruzic is in full control for now.
Arealius breaks Ruzic's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruzic wants to sweep but no luck.
Arealius tries to stand but Ruzic is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anthony Arealius will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Josip Ruzic's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ruzic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Arealius to counter with a crisp jab.
Ruzic needs to keep his hands up - Arealius had a free shot at his head there.
Arealius wants to slow Ruzic down by chopping away at his legs.
Ruzic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Arealius lands a head kick!
Ruzic lands a left and a right that sends Arealius crashing to the canvas! Ruzic dives into mount looking to finish!

It looks like Anthony Arealius has been cut.
Ruzic sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Arealius tries to control Ruzic's body but Ruzic pushes him off. Arealius squirms to his side and now Ruzic has his back!
Arealius trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's one minute gone in the round.
I really don't envy Arealius right now.
Ruzic 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.

Ruzic is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Ruzic avoiding Arealius 's attempts to control his hands.
Arealius might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ruzic kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Ruzic has good solid back control here.

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.
Arealius trying to control the hands but Ruzic breaks the grip.
Ruzic is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Ruzic gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Ruzic gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Ruzic apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Arealius misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ruzic shoots in for a takedown but Arealius shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ruzic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ruzic throws a nice looking combination but Arealius bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Arealius tries to land a front kick but Ruzic steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ruzic avoids the head kick by Arealius.
A head kick misses from Arealius.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic misses with a wild combination.
Arealius throws a nice looking combination but Ruzic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Arealius tries a head kick but it misses.
Arealius ducks under a wild hook from Ruzic.
Ruzic fails to land with a series of punches.
Ruzic throws a leg kick
letting Arealius counter with a right hand.
Arealius is looking to slow Ruzic down with leg kicks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Arealius gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ruzic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Arealius misses with a two punch combination.
Ruzic looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ruzic lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic loads up on a big right hand but Arealius slips the punch.
Ruzic misses the jab.
Arealius tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Arealius throws a nice looking combination but Ruzic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ruzic checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ruzic throws a nice looking combination but Arealius bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Arealius throws and low kick but Ruzic moves out of range easily.
Arealius moves out of range as Ruzic strikes.
Arealius falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ruzic counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Arealius moves into range and connects with a jab.
Arealius scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josip Ruzic clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ruzic throws a combination that misses
and Arealius counters with an inside leg kick.
Ruzic misses with a two punch combination.
Arealius takes a swing at Ruzic's ribcage but misses.
Arealius throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Arealius throws a leg kick but Ruzic sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ruzic is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Arealius dodges the punch combination from Ruzic.
Arealius misses with an uppercut. Ruzic saw that one coming.
An inside leg kick from Ruzic misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruzic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Arealius counters with a head kick.
Arealius misses with a double jab
and Ruzic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jab by Arealius.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruzic scores with a hook to the body. Arealius takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Arealius scores with a leg kick.
Arealius throws a nice looking combination but Ruzic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A lazy left from Arealius finds it's target.
Ruzic checks a leg kick.
Arealius avoids a kick to the body.
Arealius attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ruzic lands a nice hook to Arealius's body. Arealius takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Arealius does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ruzic misses with a straight right.
Ruzic works the jab nicely.
Arealius walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Arealius is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arealius throws a nice looking combination but Ruzic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Arealius.
Arealius throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ruzic counters with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A right-left combo lands from Arealius.
Arealius lands a head kick. Ruzic smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Arealius fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ruzic checks it well.
Ruzic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Arealius counters with a left to the body.
Arealius looks to land a left hand but Ruzic moved out of range nicely.
Arealius misses with a low kick.
Arealius throws a head kick but Ruzic moves out of range.
Arealius misses with a combination
enabling Ruzic to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic punishes Arealius's body with a nice straight punch.
Ruzic buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ruzic misses with a double jab
and Arealius counters with a three punch combo that has Ruzic backing up. Ruzic nods at Arealius to acknowledge the strikes.
Ruzic misses with the combination.
Arealius misses with a double jab
and Ruzic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ruzic moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ruzic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Arealius as he avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Ruzic.
Arealius misses with an uppercut. Ruzic saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arealius misses with a body shot.
Ruzic throws a hook but Arealius blocks it.
Arealius bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Arealius throws a series of punches but Ruzic avoids them all with ease.
Ruzic misses with a combination
and Arealius counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ruzic throws a hook to the side of Arealius's head but Arealius sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruzic misses with a two punch combination.
Arealius misses with a head kick.
Arealius throws a head kick that half lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josip Ruzic had his way with Anthony Arealius in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! 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.

Ruzic misses with a series of wild punches.
Arealius connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Arealius throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ruzic checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
No joy there for Ruzic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Arealius lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Arealius looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruzic ducks right into an uppercut from Arealius.
Arealius misses with a double jab.
Ruzic moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Arealius throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ruzic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruzic misses with a double jab
and Arealius counters with a two punch combo.
Arealius showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ruzic.
Nice defenses there by Arealius.
Arealius works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Arealius lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Arealius looks to land a right hand but Ruzic moved out of range.
Arealius scores with a three punch combo!
Arealius scores with a decent looking hook.
Ruzic looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ruzic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Arealius.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arealius misses with a body shot
and Ruzic counters with a one-two to the body.
No joy there for Arealius, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Arealius looks for the body kick but Ruzic saw that one coming.
Ruzic swings for the body but Arealius moves out of range.
Arealius throws a nice looking combination but Ruzic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Arealius bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ruzic misses with a looping left.
Ruzic throws a one two combo.
Ruzic misses with a double jab
and Arealius counters with an outside leg kick.
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!
A clash of legs there as Ruzic blocks the low kick.
Ruzic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arealius pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Arealius takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Arealius is rocked!
Ruzic misses with a wild combination.
Arealius throws a leg kick that misses.
A good leg kick by Arealius.
Arealius scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ruzic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Arealius.
Some wild striking there from Ruzic.
Arealius pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arealius chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ruzic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Arealius with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Arealius's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Arealius duly obliges.
Arealius throws a series of punches but Ruzic moves out of range.
Arealius thumps Ruzic with a low kick.
Ruzic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ruzic falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Arealius to counter with a crisp jab.
Arealius feints and then cracks Ruzic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ruzic down.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Josip Ruzic.
Well Ruzic has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 48:47
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 48:47
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josip Ruzic!
Josip Ruzic is the new middleweight champion!