PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauricio Rua (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.

Nogueira
vs
Rua

187 cm
27
205 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mauricio Rua!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Alexandre Firmino and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Nogueira misses.
Nogueira throws a sloppy head kick
and Rua counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Antonio Nogueira has been cut.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nogueira paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Nogueira gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rua to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nogueira is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
A short right from Nogueira on the inside.

Rua has picked Nogueira up - he's going for a ride! Rua dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Nogueira kicks off Rua and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira circles away from the clinch attempt

and Nogueira counters by moving into the clinch.

Rua has clasped his hands together around Nogueira's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Nogueira is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Nogueira throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira misses with a wild body shot.

Rua gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nogueira kicks off Rua and gets to his feet.
Nogueira throws a right hand that Rua ducks under and follows up with a left that Rua also avoids with ease.
A low kick from Nogueira is predictable there

and Rua counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nogueira is trying to stand back up but Rua is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Nogueira rushes Rua and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nogueira tries to break the clinch but Rua is controlling the position.
Nogueira avoiding damage.
Rua tries to circle away but Nogueira has him pinned against the cage.
Nogueira's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Rua pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua working a defensive guard but Nogueira manages to pass into side control anyway.

Nogueira working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rua can't do much from the bottom here.

Nogueira thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nogueira wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rua keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Rua dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Antonio Nogueira's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Some wild striking there from Nogueira.

Nogueira closes the distance and clinches.
Nogueira goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nogueira blocks an uppercut.
Nogueira wants to get back to striking at distance but Rua won't allow it.
Rua lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nogueira or not.
Rua tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua lands a nice knee to the body.
Rua prevents Nogueira from breaking the clinch.

Rua pulls guard effortlessly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rua is looking for a sweep.

Nogueira is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rua has escaped the position, nice work there.

Nogueira looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Rua tries to escape but Nogueira is in control.
Rua can't do much from the bottom here.
Rua tries to bench press Nogueira off him but Nogueira keeps the position.

Nogueira has hold of Rua's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Rua seems comfortable defending it but Nogueira has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Rua is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Rua is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Nogueira couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Antonio Nogueira!