PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Salas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Salas's choice of entrance music: The Prodigy - No Good. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rua
vs
Salas

185 cm
25
215 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

190 cm
24
218 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Heavy Weight Nutrition (*Recovery 152 $50!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nauricio Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marco Salas!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salas throws a leg kick which misses Rua's front leg but catches the back leg as Rua tries to avoid it.

Salas clinches up against the cage.
Rua fails to pull guard.

Salas is fighting off a takedown attempt but Rua is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Salas to the mat. Salas regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Rua trying to move into half guard but instead Salas has managed to sweep!
Salas sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rua's guard.

Salas is looking for a kimura here.

Rua looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Salas is looking for a kimura but Rua is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Salas to get the leverage.

Rua is defending against the submission attempts here by Salas.

Rua looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rua looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rua trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salas is keen to just control but Rua is a slippery customer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rua shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Salas as he jumps to the side.
Salas throws a big shot that misses.

Rua gets the takedown into side control.

Rua tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Salas manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rua's best efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rua is working away from the top position though.
Salas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rua's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rua's back!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rua tries to roll but Salas sticks to his back.
Rua turns into Salas and is now in his guard.

Rua drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Salas manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rua has Salas in his guard.

Rua escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Salas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salas wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.
Salas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rua is keeping the position for now.

Rua had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Salas defends it easily.

Rua throws his legs up looking for a submission but Salas uses it to pass to side control.
Rua managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Salas.

Salas is trying to get an arm triangle but Rua is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Salas wants to control but Rua is keeping him busy.
Salas works to advance to full mount. Rua defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Salas avoids the attempt from Rua to control.
Rua is trying desperately to improve position.

Salas throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Rua has his hands clasped together but Salas breaks the hold and Rua is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Salas!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Marco Salas!