PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ahkmed Ufalopolaus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ufalopolaus has chosen Shabnami Soraya - Az Kudumi Safar as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Ahkmed Ufalopolaus enters the cage!

Rua
vs
Ufalopolaus

179 cm
26
179 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

172 cm
25
180 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mauricio Rua!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ahkmed Ufalopolaus!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Mauricio Rocha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ufalopolaus instigates a clinch.
Ufalopolaus letting Rua take a breather here.
Rua looking to slow down the pace here.
Ufalopolaus 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.
Rua is trying to maintain a safe position but Ufalopolaus gets an underhook and turns Rua into the cage.
Ufalopolaus blocks an elbow strike.
Ufalopolaus has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rua avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Ufalopolaus works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ufalopolaus is looking to work some ground and pound but Rua has wrist control.
Ufalopolaus postures up in Rua's guard and throws a big left but Rua blocks it.
Ufalopolaus controlling from the top position.

Ufalopolaus drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ufalopolaus jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ufalopolaus wants to pass the guard but Rua is keeping the position.
Ufalopolaus scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rua managing to control the position.
Ufalopolaus trying to move into half guard but instead Rua has managed to sweep!
Rua won't allow Ufalopolaus to sweep him here.
Ufalopolaus keeping moving, preventing Rua from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ufalopolaus managing to control the position.
Ufalopolaus lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rua!
Rua on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rua tries to get out of the position.
Ufalopolaus landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ufalopolaus raining down shots from the mount!
Ufalopolaus thowing shots but they're missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ufalopolaus working Rua over with strikes here.
Ufalopolaus wants to control the pace but Rua is squirming around nicely.
Ufalopolaus controlling from mount.
Ufalopolaus fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Ufalopolaus thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Ufalopolaus wants to control the pace but Rua is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ufalopolaus lands a nice shot to the head.
Ufalopolaus tries to control but Rua wriggling away.
Rua takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Ufalopolaus looking to control but Rua is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ufalopolaus thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Ufalopolaus controlling from mount.
Rua tries to reverse the position but Ufalopolaus maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rua attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rua avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ufalopolaus finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rua explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ufalopolaus lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ufalopolaus tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rua swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rua stuffs the takedown attempt from Ufalopolaus. Ufalopolaus gets slowly back to his feet.
Rua misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ufalopolaus gets a takedown into half guard.
Ufalopolaus wants to pass the guard but Rua is defending well.
Rua slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ufalopolaus trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ufalopolaus is controlling him.
Rua preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ufalopolaus wants to pass the guard but Rua is keeping the position.
Ufalopolaus is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ufalopolaus content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ufalopolaus trying to control but Rua is working from the bottom.
Rua knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ufalopolaus on the ground.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ahkmed Ufalopolaus hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Ufalopolaus decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rua tries to roll over but Ufalopolaus keeps him under control.
Ufalopolaus passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rua!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua wants to control but Ufalopolaus is having none of it.
Ufalopolaus tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ufalopolaus punching from mount but Rua doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Ufalopolaus lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ufalopolaus is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rua can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Rua squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Rua is squirming around, avoiding Ufalopolaus's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahkmed Ufalopolaus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ufalopolaus takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rua leaves Ufalopolaus with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ufalopolaus tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rua sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ufalopolaus somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua slips a straight right by Ufalopolaus.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ufalopolaus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mauricio Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ahkmed Ufalopolaus.
Rua thows a leg kick but Ufalopolaus checks it

and Ufalopolaus counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ufalopolaus.
Ufalopolaus is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rua pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ufalopolaus blocks the elbow strike.
Ufalopolaus on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but Ufalopolaus is controlling him.
Rua is trying to push Ufalopolaus away but Ufalopolaus has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ufalopolaus 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.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ufalopolaus's brow.
Rua is looking to control Ufalopolaus's arms but Ufalopolaus gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rua has his back to the cage.
Ufalopolaus can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rua content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mauricio Rua.
A solid body kick from Rua.
Ufalopolaus takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Ufalopolaus throws a head kick that misses
and Rua counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua tries to score with a low kick but Ufalopolaus moves his leg out of the way.
Ahkmed Ufalopolaus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rua shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ufalopolaus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rua throws a leg kick

so Ufalopolaus counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rua is trying to control the position but Ufalopolaus postures up.
Ufalopolaus throwing strikes but missing.
Rua working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ufalopolaus.
Ufalopolaus's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ufalopolaus passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Ufalopolaus is looking to take a break and control but Rua is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rua is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ufalopolaus moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Ufalopolaus throwing shots but missing, from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Mauricio Rua did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Rua's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ufalopolaus tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rua finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
No luck for Ufalopolaus with that takedown attempt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rua.
Ufalopolaus throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rua.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ufalopolaus throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rua was covering up waiting for the punch and Ufalopolaus finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ufalopolaus working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ufalopolaus trying to control the position from guard on top but Rua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rua working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ufalopolaus.
Rua can't keep his opponent in guard - Ufalopolaus advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Ufalopolaus is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rua is staying active underneath Ufalopolaus, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

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.
Ufalopolaus slows the pace down in half guard.
Ufalopolaus wants to pass the guard but Rua is defending well.
Ufalopolaus has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Well, if Ufalopolaus is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ufalopolaus throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ahkmed Ufalopolaus.
Rua fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ufalopolaus has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ufalopolaus misses with a head kick.
Rua does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Rua tries to land a front kick but Ufalopolaus steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ufalopolaus throws a jab when Rua was well out of range.
Ufalopolaus tries to clinch up but Rua circles away and keeps his distance.
Rua misses with a low kick.

That's four 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.
Rua swats away the attempt to clinch by Ufalopolaus.
Rua throws a leg kick but Ufalopolaus checks it.
Ufalopolaus connects with a crisp jab.

Ufalopolaus shoots in and bounces Rua off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ufalopolaus is stalling in the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahkmed Ufalopolaus dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ufalopolaus misses the jab.
Ufalopolaus checks a leg kick nicely.
Ufalopolaus connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ufalopolaus takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ufalopolaus fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rua displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ufalopolaus.
Ufalopolaus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mauricio Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ahkmed Ufalopolaus.
Rua throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

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.
Rua lands with a nice body kick.
Ufalopolaus doesn't manage to clinch there - Rua circles away.
Mauricio Rua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rua slips under a jab from Ufalopolaus.
Rua fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ufalopolaus shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rua as he jumps to the side.
Rua is looking to score with low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rua pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rua throws a leg kick

and Ufalopolaus counters with a single leg into guard. Rua didn't expect that.
Ufalopolaus chips away with some ground and pound.
Ufalopolaus showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Rua is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ufalopolaus is controlling him.
Ufalopolaus in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ahkmed Ufalopolaus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ufalopolaus controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mauricio Rua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ufalopolaus pushing down on Rua's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ufalopolaus moves nicely into side control.
Rua is not content to let Ufalopolaus control the position.
A lull in the action here as Ufalopolaus stalls from top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ahkmed Ufalopolaus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ufalopolaus 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 46:49
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 46:49
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ahkmed Ufalopolaus!
Ahkmed Ufalopolaus is the new welterweight champion!