PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vitor Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig York (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Craig York is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Rua
vs
York

183 cm
19
201 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
22
189 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vitor Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Craig York!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

York gets caught flat footed, as Rua shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Rua drops back looking for a leg! York is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and York manages to kick Rua off! Rua jumps back into York's guard.
Rua postures up in York's guard and throws a big left but York blocks it.
York really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rua. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rua working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rua throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as York works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rua 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.
Rua pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. York is keeping the position for now.

Rua is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
York keeping moving, preventing Rua from controlling successfully.
Rua tries to free his leg and advance position but York is retaining full guard.
Rua keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of York's head.

Rua is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Rua is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if York can do anything to dispel that myth.

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 advances position into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rua controls the position.
Rua tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Rua is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, York has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rua tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rua is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. York knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Rua misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

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 control the action but York is working from the bottom.

Rua has an Americana. York didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Rua is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Rua hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Vitor Rua!