PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lucian Bute (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksander Rugova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bute
vs
Rugova

175 cm
24
163 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
155 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lucian Bute!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aleksander Rugova!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bute lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Aleksander Rugova has been cut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rugova. Bute does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rugova throws a shot from downtown. Bute moves away and avoids it.
Bute lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bute cracks a nice hook into Rugova's ribs.
Bute rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rugova moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rugova throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bute counters with a three punch combo that has Rugova backing up. Rugova nods at Bute to acknowledge the strikes.
Bute displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rugova throws out the jab.
Rugova misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rugova misses the shot to the body.
Rugova takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rugova throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bute lands a glancing blow to the side of Rugova's head.
Bute misses with the combination.
Rugova looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rugova slips under a jab from Bute.
Rugova keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rugova looks to score with a jab to the body but Bute is just out of range.
Bute rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rugova moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A slow jab from Bute misses its intended target.
Rugova throws the left hand but Bute avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rugova tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bute scores with a nice strike.
Bute misses with a wild combination.
Rugova swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Bute counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bute.
Rugova can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bute controls the pace.
Bute slips nicely into half guard.

Bute is looking for a kimura here.
Bute is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bute is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rugova is trying to stand up here but Bute is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bute is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Bute thows a huge punch but Rugova dodges it nicely.

Rugova is defending against the submission attempts here by Bute.
Rugova regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Bute.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bute tries to free his leg and advance position but Rugova is retaining full guard.
Rugova keeping moving, preventing Bute from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bute lands a jab to Rugova's midsection.
Bute uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rugova.
Rugova takes a swing at Bute's ribcage but misses.
Rugova doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bute scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Bute lands a two punch combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucian Bute dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aleksander Rugova's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rugova displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Bute keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lucian Bute is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rugova throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bute counters with a series of strikes. Rugova will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bute avoids the head kick by Rugova.
Rugova looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rugova throws a lazy head kick
and Bute counters with a stiff right hand.
Bute swinging wildly here.
Bute jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bute slips a straight right by Rugova.
Rugova scores with a nice strike.
Bute throws a shot to the body.
Bute moves out of range of the body kick.
Bute moves away from the strike by Rugova.
Bute comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A jab from Rugova does it's job there.
Bute closes the distance and lands a one-two.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bute slips a jab from Rugova.

Bute shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bute is trying to control the action in half guard but Rugova is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bute with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Bute has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bute looking to ground and pound but Rugova is blocking nicely.
Bute is landing with some decent strikes but Rugova is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Bute pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Rugova is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Rugova is squirming around, avoiding Bute's attempts to control the action.
Bute is really struggling to control Rugova but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bute connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Bute takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Bute swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rugova is now in Bute's guard. A big mistake from Bute there, giving up the dominant position!
Bute has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Rugova has passed into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rugova wants to stand but Bute is controlling his arm.
Bute is looking to regain half guard here but Rugova keeps moving and retains side control.
Bute manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bute performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucian Bute dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Aleksander Rugova's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rugova walks into a stiff left hand from Bute.
Bute throws a nice looking combination but Rugova bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rugova looks to land a combination but Bute avoids it well.
Rugova throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Bute counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rugova won't be happy with that.
Bute working the body and head with strikes.
Bute creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rugova sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Rugova wants to get back to his feet.

Bute swings around for an armbar but Rugova sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Bute's guard.

Bute throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bute looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rugova passes into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Rugova stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Rugova throws a looping overhand right but Bute ducks down to avoid it.
Lucian Bute is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two 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.
A swing and a miss from Bute.
Rugova jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bute avoids the body shot from Rugova.
Bute misses with a low kick.
Bute paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bute misses with a hook.
Rugova misses with a wild body shot.
Bute rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rugova moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bute tests Rugova's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A left and a right from Bute both land. Nice combination.
A low kick from Rugova misses
and Bute counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rugova throws a head kick but Bute moves out of range.
Rugova swings for the body but Bute moves out of range.
Lucian Bute is winning the standup battle so far.
Bute fails to land with a series of punches.
Bute fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bute shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rugova defends it nicely.
Good work by Bute as he checks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rugova throws a jab when Bute was well out of range.
Rugova cracks Bute with a good jab.
Bute swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aleksander Rugova is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bute throws a right and a left that Rugova avoids nicely.
Rugova looks to land a combination but Bute avoids it well.
Bute tries a head kick but it misses.
Bute lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rugova at a distance.
Rugova throws a big shot that misses.
Bute paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bute checks the leg kick nicely there.
Good shot there by Rugova.
Aleksander Rugova has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bute lands a really nice looking cross but Rugova seems unphased.
Bute slips under a jab from Rugova.
Rugova throws a one two combo.
Rugova misses with a body punch
and Bute counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Bute decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bute content to control rather than advance.

Bute is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rugova is just riding it out for now. Bute eventually gives up the hold.
Bute thows a huge punch but Rugova dodges it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lucian Bute showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bute 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:26
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:26
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucian Bute!