PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akuma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bas Rutten (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). comes into the arena with Journey - Separate Ways blaring out of the sound system. Rutten is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: You call my name. Bas Rutten is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

vs
Rutten

180 cm
18
199 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Akuma !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bas Rutten!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Patrick Alders and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rutten pinned against the cage. Rutten gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rutten pushes down on 's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rutten seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
trying to hold on to Rutten's head to control him but Rutten postures up.
wants to improve his position but Rutten is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rutten is working for a kimura but is defending it quite comfortably.
Rutten tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's one minute gone in the round.
tries to get to full guard but Rutten has control of the leg.

actively working from the bottom here.
makes his way to full guard. A much better position for .
Rutten thows a big elbow that misses.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Rutten rushes and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
can't break the clinch.
can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
tries for a takedown but Rutten manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akuma . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rutten prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rutten prevents from breaking the clinch.

Rutten's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rutten throws a solid leg kick but takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rutten.
Rutten misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rutten will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Rutten shoots in and bounces off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
is breathing heavily.
is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rutten drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rutten has in his guard.
Rutten keeping moving, preventing from controlling successfully.

Rutten looking for submissions from the bottom but instead passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
wants to take a breather but Rutten is having none of it.

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.

in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Rutten tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from !

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Akuma !