PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jovanni Bokacho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Ruggiero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruggiero has chosen Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Bokacho
vs
Ruggiero

178 cm
26
163 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
168 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

KAISER

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 Hilo, Jovanni Bokacho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Benjamin Ruggiero!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruggiero is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ruggiero shoots in for a double leg but Bokacho sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Bokacho gets a clinch.
Bokacho is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

Bokacho breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bokacho misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruggiero blocks a head kick by Bokacho.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bokacho moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bokacho misses with a head kick.
Ruggiero shoots in but no luck this time.
Ruggiero tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bokacho sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ruggiero somewhat.
Jovanni Bokacho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Ruggiero.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ruggiero is defended easily by Bokacho.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Ruggiero scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ruggiero is trying to work for a kimura but Bokacho is defending well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

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

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

Ruggiero is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bokacho defends it well.
Ruggiero looks gassed!
Ruggiero is thwarting Bokacho's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ruggiero trying to pass the guard but Bokacho defending well.

Ruggiero is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Bokacho as he works his way to full guard.
Ruggiero controls from within his opponent's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bokacho looking to control.
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 Jovanni Bokacho will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bokacho scores with a head kick.
Good shot there by Bokacho.
Bokacho lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ruggiero backs up against the ropes.
Bokacho throws a nice head kick!
Bokacho misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bokacho throws a head kick that misses.
Bokacho stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bokacho wants it to stay on the feet.
Bokacho throws a series of punches but Ruggiero avoids them all with ease.
No luck for Ruggiero with that takedown attempt.
Bokacho lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bokacho.

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.
Ruggiero takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Ruggiero shoots in and bounces Bokacho off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.

Ruggiero thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero is looking to advance position but Bokacho has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Ruggiero tries to reverse the position but Bokacho maintains control.
Ruggiero is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Bokacho working for a submission but Ruggiero is keeping him at bay.

Bokacho working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Ruggiero is looking to improve his position but Bokacho isn't that keen on the idea.
Bokacho knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ruggiero on the ground.

Bokacho jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Ruggiero is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Ruggiero and Bokacho has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

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.
Ruggiero gets back to half guard.

Bokacho is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ruggiero has managed to free his arm - good work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ruggiero manages to get to full guard.
Ruggiero looking to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ruggiero is on top in guard.
Ruggiero is pushing down on Bokacho's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bokacho is fighting to maintain full guard but Ruggiero has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Benjamin Ruggiero will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bokacho throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruggiero blocks a head kick by Bokacho.
Bokacho throws a sloppy head kick and Ruggiero moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruggiero wants to clinch
and Bokacho counters with a good low kick that Ruggiero was not able to check.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bokacho sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ruggiero shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Bokacho throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bokacho connects with a high kick.
Benjamin Ruggiero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

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.
Bokacho tries a head kick but it misses.
Bokacho tries to clinch up.

Bokacho scores a takedown into full mount!

Bokacho goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Ruggiero is on top in guard.
Ruggiero trying to control but Bokacho is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero pushing down on Bokacho's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Ruggiero is working for a kimura but Bokacho is defending it quite comfortably.

Ruggiero is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ruggiero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

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

That's four 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.
Bokacho wants to get back to full guard.
Bokacho won't allow Ruggiero to pass to mount.
Ruggiero is looking to take a break and control but Bokacho is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

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. Bokacho tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Ruggiero!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Benjamin Ruggiero!