PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lucas Faria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Russo
vs
Faria

172 cm
19
159 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
158 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

BLKOUT Clothing
BLKOUT Clothing

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ryan Russo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Lucas Faria!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Ackerman and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Russo feints and as Faria raises his hands in defense, Russo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Faria being controlled here, momentarily.
Russo trying to control the position from guard on top but Faria is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russo controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Faria working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Russo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo wants to control from the top but Faria keeps moving.
Russo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ryan Russo.
Russo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Faria sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Faria throws a head kick but Russo moves out of range.
Faria lands a head kick. Russo smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Some wild striking there from Faria.

Russo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Faria really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Russo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Russo wants to control from the top but Faria keeps moving.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Russo controls Faria momentarily but Faria frees himself.

Russo working for a triangle but Faria defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

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

Faria avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Faria wants to stand and escape but instead Russo has hit a sweep and he's now on top in 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.
Faria utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Russo postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Faria is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Russo, into his guard.
Faria must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Faria tries to stand but Russo is controlling from the bottom.
Russo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Russo dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Faria misses with a series of wild punches.
Faria tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Russo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Faria with a poor takedown
and Russo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Russo moves out of range of the body kick from Faria.
Faria explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Faria fails with the takedown

and Russo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Faria's guard.
Russo wants to control from the top but Faria keeps moving.
Russo passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Faria parries the strikes from Russo easily there. Russo is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Faria to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faria avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Russo.
Russo works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Russo goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Faria rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Russo's guard! Nice work there by Faria!

Russo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Faria can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Faria would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Russo wants to sweep here but Faria controlling him for the moment.

Russo throws his legs up looking for a submission but Faria uses it to pass to side control.
Russo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Faria working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo is looking to reverse the position.
Russo is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Russo controlling the position well.
Russo is trying to maintain the position but Faria is very close to passing his half guard.

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.
Faria is looking to take a break and control but Russo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Russo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Russo is controlling Faria's trapped leg to prevent Faria from advancing to side control.
Russo is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ryan Russo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Faria has his takedown stuffed
and Russo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Russo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Russo thows a big elbow that misses.
Russo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Russo trying to control the position from guard on top but Faria is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Russo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Russo postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faria keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.
Russo not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ryan Russo.

Russo closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Faria to the mat! Faria manages to get full guard.
Russo looking to sit in guard and control but Faria gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Russo trying to keep a closed guard but Faria is proving a slippery customer.
Russo is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Faria is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Russo is on top in guard.
Russo is in close to Faria's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Russo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Faria's head.
Russo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Russo wants to control from the top but Faria keeps moving.
Russo tries to free his leg and advance position but Faria is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faria is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Faria takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Russo pushes down on Faria's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Russo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Russo is trying to control the action in half guard but Faria is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Russo cracks Faria with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Russo shoots in and bounces Faria off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Russo thows a big elbow that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Russo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Russo is looking to work some ground and pound but Faria has wrist control.
Russo passes into half guard.
Lucas Faria has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Russo not landing any meaningful shots this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Russo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Russo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Russo!