PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between alexious Rufo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Loeffler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rufo
vs
Loeffler

170 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

165 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, alexious Rufo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jon Loeffler!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Loeffler stuffs the takedown attempt from Rufo. Rufo gets slowly back to his feet.

Loeffler shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rufo is trying to defend but Loeffler finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Loeffler wants to work for an arm triangle but Rufo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Loeffler seems to be working for a kimura but Rufo defends the submission attempt.
Rufo trying to hold on to Loeffler's head to control him but Loeffler postures up.
Loeffler trying to pass the guard but Rufo defending well.

Loeffler is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rufo is just riding it out for now. Loeffler eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Loeffler seems to be working for a kimura but Rufo defends the submission attempt.

Rufo is defending against the submission attempts here by Loeffler.

Loeffler decides to return to a standing position.

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.
Rufo with a lazy takedown attempt

and Loeffler counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rufo!
Loeffler looks gassed!

Loeffler swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rufo is now in Loeffler's guard. A big mistake from Loeffler there, giving up the dominant position!
Rufo stands and throws Loeffler's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rufo tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Loeffler wants to get back to his feet but Rufo drags him back down.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rufo trying to control the position but Loeffler is working away.
Loeffler wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loeffler is not content to let Rufo control the position.
Loeffler is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rufo is controlling him well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Loeffler misses with a takedown

and Rufo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Loeffler's guard.
Rufo slips nicely into half guard.
Loeffler pushes Rufo off looking to stand but Rufo dives back in and keeps control.
Rufo trying to pass the guard but Loeffler defending well.
Rufo prevents Loeffler from standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rufo is nestled in close to Loeffler, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rufo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Loeffler is trying to stand up here but Rufo is controlling him well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Rufo scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rufo lands a decent elbow from side control.

Loeffler bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Rufo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rufo has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Loeffler wants to stand up but Rufo is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rufo decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Loeffler, up you get!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that alexious Rufo will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rufo throws a low kick but it's checked well by Loeffler.
Rufo misses with a series of wild punches.
Rufo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Loeffler shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Loeffler showed some decent athleticism there.
Rufo wants to control but Loeffler is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Loeffler wants to work for an arm triangle but Rufo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Loeffler is trying to work for a kimura but Rufo is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rufo is defending against the submission attempts here by Loeffler.

Rufo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Loeffler stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's two 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.
Loeffler has his takedown stuffed

and Rufo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Loeffler wants to stand and escape but Rufo is having none of it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rufo looking to pass the guard.
Rufo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rufo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Loeffler works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Loeffler has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Rufo off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Loeffler bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Rufo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Loeffler pushes Rufo off and gets back to his feet.
Loeffler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rufo pinned against the cage. Rufo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Rufo shoots in and bounces Loeffler off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rufo wants to control from the top but Loeffler keeps moving.
Jon Loeffler has got the better of the ground game so far.

Loeffler pushes Rufo off and scrambles back to his feet.

Loeffler scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Loeffler is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rufo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Loeffler tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Loeffler has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Loeffler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Loeffler throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rufo was covering up waiting for the punch and Loeffler finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Loeffler gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Rufo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Loeffler counters with a shoot takedown. Rufo fights it but they end up in guard.

Loeffler stands up from guard. Let's bang!
alexious Rufo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rufo tries to score with a low kick but Loeffler moves his leg out of the way.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rufo with a lazy takedown attempt

so Loeffler counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Loeffler gets to his feet. Rufo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Rufo with a lazy takedown attempt

so Loeffler counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for alexious Rufo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Loeffler gets to his feet - Rufo follows without any prompting.

Rufo gets the takedown into side control.
Loeffler is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rufo asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Rufo working the head with strikes.

Loeffler throws Rufo to one side and escapes!
Rufo tries to clinch but fails miserably

so Loeffler counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Loeffler drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rufo dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Loeffler has his feet on Rufo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Rufo doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Loeffler counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Loeffler looking to pass the guard.

Loeffler is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rufo is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rufo has escaped and now he's on top!
Rufo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Loeffler is proving hard to escape from.
Rufo trying to move into half guard but instead Loeffler has managed to sweep!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Loeffler drops back looking for a leg! Rufo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rufo manages to kick Loeffler off! Loeffler jumps back into Rufo's guard.

Loeffler drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rufo dives on top into guard.
Rufo prevents Loeffler from getting back to his feet.
Rufo tries to free his leg and advance position but Loeffler is retaining full guard.
Rufo passes Loeffler's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four 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.

Loeffler has one foot on Rufo's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Rufo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Loeffler counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Loeffler is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rufo has managed to free his arm - good work.

Loeffler has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Rufo defend it? Loeffler steps over the head and cranks it - Rufo is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Loeffler!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jon Loeffler!