PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Colman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Colman
vs
Rua

185 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Behold The Beast

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mark Colman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mauricio Rua!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua looks for the body kick but Colman saw that one coming.
A jab from Rua misses.
Colman shoots in for a takedown but Rua shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rua takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rua throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rua lands a head kick. Colman smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Rua throws a head kick that misses.
Rua scores with a nice head shot.
Rua lands a front kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rua pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Colman shoots for a double leg takedown but Rua sprawls well. He's pushed Colman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rua swats away the attempt to clinch by Colman.
Rua swats away the attempt to clinch by Colman.
Rua misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rua throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rua.

Colman scores a takedown into full mount!
Colman is breathing heavily.
Rua is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Colman can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rua is looking to escape.
Rua trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua working to try and regain half guard.
Colman working the ground and pound effectively.
Colman trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Colman controlling the pace for now.
Colman trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rua sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Colman prevents Rua from standing back up.
Colman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rua keeps working.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Colman sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Rua dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Colman takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Colman wants to clinch up but Rua keeps it at a distance.
Colman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Colman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rua as he avoids it easily.
A combination from Rua does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua throws a series of punches but Colman moves out of range.

Colman closes the distance and pushes Rua back into the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Colman goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rua prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Colman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A frustrated look appears on Rua's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua looking to slow down the pace here.
With the fighters up against the cage, Colman throws an elbow but misses.

Rua escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rua looks to land a combination but Colman avoids it well.
Rua lands with a thumping leg kick.
Colman throws a body kick the misses

and Rua decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Colman's guard.
Colman keeping moving, preventing Rua from controlling successfully.
Rua pushing down on Colman's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Colman is staying active underneath Rua, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rua working over Colman with some ground and pound. Colman looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Rua is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua is keen to just control but Colman is a slippery customer.
Colman is trying to maintain the position but Rua is very close to passing his half guard.
Rua controlling the action here.
Rua lands strikes from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rua performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Colman has one foot on Rua's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Mark Colman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to de liver by Colman. Beautiful body shot.
Rua throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Colman.
Colman moves in looking to clinch but Rua pushes him off.
Colman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rua pinned against the cage. Rua gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Rua shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Rua stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Colman misses with a takedown attempt
and Rua counters with a nice low kick that buckles Colman's knee momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rua, as that shot connected.
Mark Colman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Colman shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Colman goes for an armbar but Rua turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Rua.
Rua wants to control from the top but Colman keeps moving.
Colman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rua.
Colman working a defensive guard here.

Rua drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rua jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Rua showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Colman takes a jab right on the kisser.
Colman has his takedown stuffed
and Rua counters with a straight right hand.
Rua misses with a double jab.
Rua tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Colman takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rua circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rua stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rua wants it to stay on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rua throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Colman shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rua manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Colman wanted to stand there but Rua had control of the position.
Mauricio Rua has got the better of the ground game so far.
Colman slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Colman is pushing down on Rua's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rua is fighting to maintain full guard but Colman has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Colman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Colman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rua does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rua is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Colman's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Colman's back!
Rua is trying to stick to Colman's back but Colman is turning into Rua. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Rua's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Colman.
Rua working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Colman.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rua wants to sweep here but Colman controlling him for the moment.
Colman wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Colman decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rua, up you get!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rua using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Rua is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Colman has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rua is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Colman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Colman changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rua fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rua connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Colman moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Colman takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Colman tries to clinch up but Rua circles away and keeps his distance.
Rua lunges at Colman with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Colman's hand.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rua.
Rua misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Colman.
Mauricio Rua is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Colman doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rua counters with a solid body kick.
Mark Colman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Colman stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rua.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mark Colman.
I think Rua 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mauricio Rua!