PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lidel Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Farid Ruslanitov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Castro
vs
Ruslanitov

165 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

167 cm
22
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lidel Castro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Farid Ruslanitov!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Skip Squint and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castro takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Lidel Castro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ruslanitov tries to close the distance and clinch but Castro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Castro throws the left hand but Ruslanitov avoids the punch easily.
Castro throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ruslanitov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Castro.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ruslanitov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Ruslanitov clinches up against the cage.
Castro working aggressively here.
Ruslanitov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Castros head.

It looks like Lidel Castro has been cut.
Castro wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ruslanitov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Castro backwards.
Castro has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Castro manages to break the clinch.
Ruslanitov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ruslanitov tries to clinch there but Castro circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro throws a right and a left that both miss.
Castro slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Castro lands a jab to Ruslanitov's midsection.
Castro connects with a crisp jab.
Castro misses the shot to the body.
Ruslanitov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Castro.
Ruslanitov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ruslanitov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Castro.
Castro with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Castro throws a wild body kick that Ruslanitov sees coming a mile off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro misses with an uppercut. Ruslanitov saw that one coming.
Castro throws a nice looking combination but Ruslanitov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ruslanitov moves in looking to clinch but Castro pushes him off.
Ruslanitov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Castro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ruslanitov was well out of range. Poor timing from Castro.
Ruslanitov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Castro misses with a looping left.
Ruslanitov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Castro.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ruslanitov moves into the clinch successfully.
Castro is trying to force a seperation but Ruslanitov has the dominant position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ruslanitov.
Ruslanitov lands a hook that snaps the head of Castro backwards.

Castro breaks the clinch.
Castro lands with a cross.
Castro throws a jab but it's blocked by Ruslanitov.
Ruslanitov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Castro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Castro misses with a series of wild punches.
Ruslanitov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The fighters circling - Castro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Castro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Castro missing with a left hand there. Ruslanitov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ruslanitov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ruslanitov moves into the clinch.
Castro wants to get back to striking at distance but Ruslanitov won't allow it.

Castro breaks the clinch.

Ruslanitov has closed the distance and engaged Castro in a clinch.
Ruslanitov is working Castro over against the cage.
A hook to the body from Ruslanitov.
Castro wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ruslanitov has him pressed against the cage.
Castro is trying to break free.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ruslanitov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ruslanitov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Castro is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruslanitov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Castro tries to break free but Ruslanitov pushes him back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Ruslanitov.
Ruslanitov keeps control of Castro as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ruslanitov lands a left hand.
Ruslanitov scores with a hook to the body.
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 Lidel Castro will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lidel Castro'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.

Ruslanitov tries to close the distance and clinch but Castro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Castro throws a hook to the side of Ruslanitov's head but Ruslanitov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ruslanitov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ruslanitov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ruslanitov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Farid Ruslanitov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Castro misses with a straight right.
Ruslanitov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Castro.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruslanitov blocks a jab.
Ruslanitov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Castro throws out the jab.
Jab by Ruslanitov.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ruslanitov rushes Castro and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Castro blocks an uppercut.
Ruslanitov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ruslanitov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Castro backwards.
Ruslanitov works on Castro's body with a couple of short punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A right hook to the body lands for Ruslanitov.
Castro is trying to break free.
Castro has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ruslanitov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Castros head.
Castro wants to get back to striking at distance but Ruslanitov won't allow it.
Ruslanitov is stalling here.
A short uppercut from Ruslanitov.
Ruslanitov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Castro or not.
Ruslanitov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Farid Ruslanitov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ruslanitov pushes Castro back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Castro's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Good body shot from Ruslanitov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A right handed body shot lands from Ruslanitov.
Ruslanitov scores with a hook to the body.
Castro takes a shot to the head.
The referee calls for Ruslanitov to work.
Ruslanitov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Castro manages to break the clinch.
The fighters circling - Castro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro throws the left hand but Ruslanitov avoids the punch easily.
Ruslanitov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ruslanitov moves out of range as Castro strikes.
Ruslanitov is looking to clinch but Castro is avoiding it.
Ruslanitov ducks under a wild hook from Castro.
Ruslanitov tries to clinch there but Castro circles away.
Castro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Castro connects with a crisp jab.
A big right from Castro misses.
Ruslanitov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruslanitov slips a straight right by Castro.
Castro throws a body punch but Ruslanitov moves out of range.
Castro pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Castro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice uppercut there from Ruslanitov.
Castro looks to land a left hand but Ruslanitov moved out of range nicely.
A big left from Castro misses.
Castro throws a shot from downtown. Ruslanitov moves away and avoids it.
Castro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ruslanitov moves away.

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.
Ruslanitov tries to clinch but Castro is having none of it.
Castro lands with an overhand left.
Ruslanitov slips a jab from Castro.
A punch combination from Ruslanitov misses.
Ruslanitov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ruslanitov moves in looking to clinch but Castro pushes him off.
Ruslanitov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Castro throws out the jab.
Ruslanitov is looking to clinch.
Ruslanitov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Castro circles away quickly and effectively.
Castro slips a jab and a cross from Ruslanitov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Farid Ruslanitov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lidel Castro's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Castro connects with a looping right hand.
Ruslanitov is looking to clinch but Castro is avoiding it.
Castro throws a hook but Ruslanitov blocks it.
Ruslanitov doesn't manage to clinch there - Castro circles away.
Castro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Castro misses the target.
Castro throws a jab when Ruslanitov was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruslanitov moves in looking to clinch but Castro pushes him off.
Ruslanitov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ruslanitov is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ruslanitov wants to clinch.
Castro scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Castro thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ruslanitov tries to clinch there but Castro circles away.
Castro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Castro misses with a looping left.
Castro throws out a loose jab but Ruslanitov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Castro.
Castro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A big left from Castro misses.
Castro throws a hook but Ruslanitov avoids it easily.
Ruslanitov moves out of range of the strikes.
Ruslanitov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ruslanitov tries to clinch there but Castro circles away.
Castro ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Ruslanitov.
Castro is trying to break free.
Castro is looking to break free of the clinch but Ruslanitov has double underhooks.
Ruslanitov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Castros head.
A frustrated look appears on Castro's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Castro is trying to break free.
Ruslanitov scores with a shot to the side of Castro's head.
Castro's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Castro working hard to break the clinch.
Ruslanitov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Castro backwards.
Castro wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Castro manages to break the clinch.
Ruslanitov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Castro connects with a right hand. Ruslanitov shakes it off.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Castro takes a swing at Ruslanitov's ribcage but misses.

Ruslanitov clinches with his opponent.
Ruslanitov throws a punch but it's blocked by Castro.
Ruslanitov has Castro pressed against the cage, preventing Castro from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ruslanitov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Castros head.
A frustrated look appears on Castro's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Castro fails to land.
A short right from Ruslanitov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruslanitov lands with a right to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ruslanitov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Castro or not.
Castro tries to break the clinch but Ruslanitov is controlling the position.
Castro has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ruslanitov.
Castro working hard to break the clinch.
Ruslanitov lands with a short shot to the head.
Ruslanitov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Castro backwards.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Castro.
Ruslanitov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Castro looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A right handed body shot lands from Ruslanitov.
Ruslanitov is pushing Castro up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Castro breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Castro just misses with a punch to the body.
Ruslanitov tries to close the distance and clinch but Castro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Castro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ruslanitov.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Farid Ruslanitov.
I think Ruslanitov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Farid Ruslanitov!