PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Ruggiero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scott Neville (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruggiero's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ruggiero
vs
Neville

180 cm
23
168 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

5th Round

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Benjamin Ruggiero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Scott Neville!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruggiero takes one to the chin there.
Neville fails in his attempt to clinch.
Neville is looking to clinch but Ruggiero is avoiding it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ruggiero is defended easily by Neville.
Neville tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ruggiero paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Neville closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ruggiero sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Neville not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Neville wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ruggiero keeps working.
Ruggiero is trying is best to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero is not content to let Neville control the position.
Neville performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Neville trying to control from half guard but Ruggiero is working away.
Ruggiero has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Neville is working away from the top position though.

Ruggiero looking for submissions off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Neville shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ruggiero counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero tries to pass to full mount but Neville defends it.
Ruggiero wants to take a breather but Neville is having none of it.

Ruggiero is looking for a kimura but Neville is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ruggiero to get the leverage.
Ruggiero is controlling the pace.

Ruggiero is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Neville has managed to free his arm - good work.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Neville can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ruggiero is breathing heavily.
Ruggiero seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Neville does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ruggiero tries to pass to full mount but Neville defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ruggiero wants to work for an arm triangle but Neville is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Neville is looking to improve his position.
Ruggiero blocks the strikes from Neville.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ruggiero is looking to take a break and control but Neville is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ruggiero seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Neville is looking for a sweep. Ruggiero is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Neville closes the distance looking to clinch

and Ruggiero counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero wants to free his trapped foot but Neville is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Ruggiero in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Neville tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Ruggiero!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Benjamin Ruggiero!