PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Ferdinand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rogerio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ferdinand
vs
Rua

174 cm
19
158 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
21
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Ferdinand!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rogerio Rua!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Luis Engracia and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua fails to land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Rua.
Ferdinand takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ferdinand fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rua.
Ferdinand throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ferdinand is looking to slow Rua down with leg kicks.
Rua fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ferdinand.
Ferdinand lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rua circles away quickly and effectively.
Ferdinand looks to land a combination. Rua sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Rogerio Rua has been cut.
Rua looks gassed!
Ferdinand lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferdinand scores with a one two! Rua had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Ferdinand drives through with a takedown into guard.

Rua is rocked!

Rua working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ferdinand has passed into half guard!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rua is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferdinand is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Ferdinand's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rua is trying to maintain the position but Ferdinand is very close to passing his half guard.
Rua is concentrating on defense, preventing Ferdinand from advancing position.
Rua is looking to control Ferdinand's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rua avoid being mounted?
Ferdinand lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Ferdinand is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Rua wants to get back to his feet.
Ferdinand is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Rua makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rua.

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.
Rua trying to keep a closed guard but Ferdinand is proving a slippery customer.

Ferdinand stands and steps away. Rua gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Rua falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ferdinand counters with a nice uppercut.
Rogerio Rua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rua fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ferdinand throws a series of punches but Rua moves out of range.
Ferdinand rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rua moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ferdinand jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ferdinand moves away from the strike by Rua.
Rua throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ferdinand counters with a nice low kick that buckles Rua's knee momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rua has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Ferdinand throws a right hand that Rua ducks under and follows up with a left that Rua also avoids with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Ferdinand dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rogerio Rua's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ferdinand moves into the clinch successfully.
A short right from Rua on the inside.
Rua tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Ferdinand decides to pull guard.
Rua is looking to work some ground and pound but Ferdinand has wrist control.
Ferdinand keeping moving, preventing Rua from controlling successfully.

Ferdinand has his feet on Rua's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Ferdinand wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rua on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ferdinand fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rua swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ferdinand counters with a left and a right that stings Rua.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ferdinand throws a right hand that Rua ducks under and follows up with a left that Rua also avoids with ease.
Ferdinand works over Rua's head and body with a nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferdinand stalks Rua and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rua's face. Rua staggers backwards, shaken.
Ferdinand lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rua backs up against the cage.
Ferdinand scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ferdinand lands with an overhand left.
Rua takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rua throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ferdinand counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Antonio Ferdinand is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rua throws a leg kick but Ferdinand checks it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Ferdinand breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ferdinand misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rua misses with a double jab
and Ferdinand counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rua goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Ferdinand is working the combinations to good effect here.
Rua takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Antonio Ferdinand is winning the standup battle so far.
Ferdinand moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
No joy there for Ferdinand, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rua shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ferdinand pinned against the cage. Ferdinand gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ferdinand uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rua.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ferdinand makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Rua misses with a combination
and Rua takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rua tries to clinch but Ferdinand moves away
and Ferdinand counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ferdinand changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ferdinand catches Rua with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rua misses with a double jab.
Ferdinand has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Rua.

Ferdinand gets a clinch.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but Ferdinand has him pressed against the cage.
Rua wants a takedown but no success here.

Rua escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ferdinand goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rua takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rua misses with a double jab
and Ferdinand counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rua gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua misses with a double jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Ferdinand scores with a four punch combination!
Rua falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ferdinand counters with a nice uppercut.
Rua falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ferdinand counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rua misses with a double jab
and Ferdinand makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Rua slips a jab and a cross from Ferdinand.
Rua lands a jab to the nose.
Rua falls off balance throwing a combination

and Ferdinand counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ferdinand controlling from the top position.
Ferdinand postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferdinand is looking to stand up but Rua won't let him.
Ferdinand stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rua swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rua keeping moving, preventing Ferdinand from controlling successfully.
Rua has his hands on Ferdinand's head, controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Ferdinand dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rogerio Rua's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ferdinand circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ferdinand counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rua throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice jab there from Ferdinand.
Rua throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ferdinand lands a jab-cross combination.
Ferdinand throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rua throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ferdinand cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ferdinand moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ferdinand throws a series of punches but Rua moves out of range.
Ferdinand connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rua throws a combination that misses
and Ferdinand counters with a straight right hand.
Ferdinand throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ferdinand throws a series of strikes that have Rua backpedaling.
Rua swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ferdinand counters with an inside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Good exchange - Rua coming out on top.
Ferdinand lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rua has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rua falls off balance throwing a combination

and Ferdinand counters with a single leg into guard. Rua didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua looking for a sweep. Not yet Rua, not yet.
Rua keeping moving, preventing Ferdinand from controlling successfully.
Rua wants to control but Ferdinand passes easily into half guard.

Rua has one foot on Ferdinand's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Rua.
Rua misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rua has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rua there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ferdinand throws a one two combo.
Rua misses with a double jab
and Ferdinand counters with a thumping low kick.
Ferdinand rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rua moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ferdinand is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rua can do to turn this around?
Rua misses with a combination
and Ferdinand counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rua throws a series of punches but Ferdinand moves out of range.
Ferdinand slips a jab and a cross from Rua.
Rua throws a shot from downtown. Ferdinand moves away and avoids it.
Rua misses with a combination
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ferdinand displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rua misses with a double jab
and Ferdinand cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rua tries to bum rush Ferdinand with a series of wild strikes but Ferdinand uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rua on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Ferdinand drives through and clinches with Rua against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ferdinand gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Rua regains guard.

Rua is looking for a triangle but Ferdinand pushes his legs off easily.
Ferdinand wants to stand and escape but instead Rua has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Ferdinand on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ferdinand tries to get out of the position.
Rua wants to control from the top but Ferdinand keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Ferdinand manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Ferdinand showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Rua is trying to control the position but Ferdinand postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Ferdinand clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Rogerio Rua's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ferdinand looks to land a combination but Rua avoids it well.
Rua scores with a one two! Ferdinand had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rua throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ferdinand counters with a series of strikes. Rua will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rua lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ferdinand circles away quickly and effectively.
Ferdinand throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A shot to de liver by Ferdinand. Beautiful body shot.
A jab from Ferdinand does it's job there.
Ferdinand works Rua's body with a nice hook.
Rua misses with a double jab
and Ferdinand cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ferdinand lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ferdinand.
Ferdinand lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rua backs up against the cage.
Rua tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ferdinand was well out of range. Poor timing from Rua.
Ferdinand stalks Rua and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rua's face. Rua staggers backwards, shaken.
Ferdinand goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Ferdinand misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ferdinand rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rua moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rua throws a right and a left that both miss.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ferdinand tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rua takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Ferdinand scores with a one two! Rua had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ferdinand fails with the takedown.
Ferdinand avoids a punch combination nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ferdinand. That's going to slow Rua down.
Rua tries for a takedown but Ferdinand sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rua has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rua there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rua takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Ferdinand lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Rua throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ferdinand counters with a three punch combo that has Rua backing up. Rua nods at Ferdinand to acknowledge the strikes.
A combination from Rua does no damage.
Ferdinand looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rua misses with a double jab
and Ferdinand counters with a body kick.
Ferdinand throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rua falls off balance throwing a combination

and Ferdinand counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ferdinand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferdinand changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rua fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ferdinand takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ferdinand scores with a one two! Rua had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rua connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rua moves in looking to clinch but Ferdinand pushes him off.
Ferdinand displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rua throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ferdinand counters with a solid body kick.
Rua falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ferdinand counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ferdinand avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Ferdinand looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Rua is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferdinand stopping the sweep attempt from Rua.

Ferdinand stands up from Rua's guard - Ferdinand perhaps looking for a knockout.

Rua drives through and clinches with Ferdinand against the cage.
Ferdinand wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Rua has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ferdinand avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Ferdinand gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Rua looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ferdinand is one step ahead there.
Rua is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Rua is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Ferdinand had his way with Rogerio Rua in that round.
The cut man is working on Rogerio Rua's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Ferdinand.
Rua misses with a double jab
and Ferdinand connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ferdinand misses with a combination
letting Rua counter with a right hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ferdinand.
Ferdinand takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Ferdinand clinches.
Rua is looking to control Ferdinand's arms but Ferdinand gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rua has his back to the cage.
Ferdinand has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rua is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Ferdinand's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ferdinand has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ferdinand tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Rua turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rua manages to end up in side control.
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.
Ferdinand tries to bench press Rua off him but Rua keeps the position.
Sloppy strikes there by Rua.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferdinand is looking to regain half guard here but Rua keeps moving and retains side control.
Rua wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ferdinand keeps working.

Rua stands up.
Rua throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ferdinand counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Ferdinand clinches up with Rua and pushes him back against the cage.

Ferdinand breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rua scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rua seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ferdinand does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferdinand is trying to stand.

Rua stands up out of the half guard.
Rua throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ferdinand counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ferdinand lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rua misses with a combination
and Ferdinand counters with a one-two to the body.
Some wild striking there from Rua.
Ferdinand throws a nice head kick!
Rua misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rua has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rua tries for a takedown but Ferdinand circles away easily

and Ferdinand counters with a shoot takedown. Rua fights it but they end up in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ferdinand trying to control but Rua is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferdinand controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ferdinand has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rua working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ferdinand.
Ferdinand wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.

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.
Ferdinand postures up in Rua's guard and throws a big left but Rua blocks it.
Antonio Ferdinand overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rua is trying to keep Ferdinand in close.

Rua looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ferdinand's corner is telling him to maintain position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rogerio Rua.
Well Ferdinand 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 49:46
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 49:46
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Ferdinand!
Antonio Ferdinand is the new lightweight champion!