PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Little Grasshopper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Grasshopper
vs
Rua

190 cm
26
210 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

195 cm
28
217 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Little Grasshopper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mark Rua!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Reed Andrews and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rua gets a clinch.
Grasshopper jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rua walks away with a smile on his face. Grasshopper gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Grasshopper closes the distance but Rua moves to the side

and Rua counters by moving into the clinch.
Grasshopper looking to throw knees to the head but Rua is blocking nicely.
Rua with a knee to the head.

It looks like Little Grasshopper has been cut.
Grasshopper avoiding damage as Rua throws knees to the body.
Rua with a knee to the head.
Grasshopper throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rua taking a breather.
Grasshopper missing with knees to the body.
Rua using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Grasshopper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rua scores a nice knee to the body.
Grasshopper blocks an elbow strike.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Grasshopper's defenses.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper tries to pull guard but Rua holds him up against the cage and eventually Grasshopper drops back down to his feet.
Rua lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rua leaning against his opponent.
Grasshopper tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua has Grasshopper pressed against the cage.
Grasshopper tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Grasshopper tries to pull guard but Rua won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Little Grasshopper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Grasshopper tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Rua scores with a shoulder strike.
Rua tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Grasshopper avoids it.
Grasshopper lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rua displaying some good clinch control by pressing Grasshopper up against the cage.
Rua lands a shot to the body.
Grasshopper blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A knee to the head by Rua.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rua.
A knee to the head by Grasshopper.
Grasshopper avoiding damage as Rua throws knees to the body.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees in the clinch landing for Grasshopper.
Grasshopper misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Rua dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Rua connects with a nasty looking knee right to Grasshopper's face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the head but Rua blocks with his arms.
Grasshopper is breathing heavily.
Rua with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Knees to the body from Rua.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grasshopper on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Grasshopper is keeping busy.
Rua using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Rua has Grasshopper pressed against the cage.
Grasshopper wants to stall.
Rua stalling the fight.
Rua avoiding damage as Grasshopper throws knees to the body.
Rua using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Grasshopper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Grasshopper being controlled against the cage.
Grasshopper dodges an elbow strike from Rua.
Rua trying to land knees to the body.
Grasshopper is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rua is keeping busy.
Rua is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grasshopper trying to control the position but instead, Rua has worked for underhooks and has pushed Grasshopper into the cage.
Rua tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper misses with a knee strike.
Rua lands an elbow inside that Grasshopper shrugs off.
Grasshopper blocks the elbow strike.
Rua trying to land knees to the body.
Rua lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Grasshopper misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Grasshopper takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Grasshopper looking to throw knees to the head but Rua is blocking nicely.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper misses with a knee strike.
Rua lands a hook to the side of the head.
Grasshopper misses with a knee to the head.
Rua trying to control the position but instead, Grasshopper has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rua into the cage.
Grasshopper takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from Grasshopper.
Grasshopper with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Grasshopper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
Grasshopper missing with knees to the body.
Grasshopper is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Grasshopper blocks an elbow strike from Rua.
Rua avoiding damage.
A short right from Rua.
Grasshopper with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rua tries a knee to the head but Grasshopper blocks it.
Grasshopper misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Rua lands a nice elbow.
Grasshopper takes a shot to the head.
Rua with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rua trying to control the position but instead, Grasshopper has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rua into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rua using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rua throws an elbow but misses.
Grasshopper avoiding damage as Rua throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Rua dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Little Grasshopper's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rua connects with a right hand. Grasshopper shakes it off.
Grasshopper takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rua circles away from the clinch attempt

and Rua moves into the clinch.
Rua putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Grasshopper in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Grasshopper tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Rua dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Rua tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Grasshopper avoids it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Grasshopper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
Grasshopper dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Grasshopper misses with a knee to the head.
Grasshopper trying to stall but Rua improves his position.
Rua tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rua lands an elbow just above Grasshopper 's eye.
Grasshopper being controlled against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Grasshopper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
Rua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Grasshopper's defenses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Grasshopper can't get the takedown.
Rua trying to control the position but instead, Grasshopper has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rua into the cage.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Mark Rua seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rua is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Grasshopper is keeping busy.
Rua with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Grasshopper tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Grasshopper on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Grasshopper looking to stall.
Rua tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Grasshopper avoids it.
Grasshopper tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rua smiles and moves away.
Rua tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rua drives through and clinches with Grasshopper against the cage.
Grasshopper tries to throw a body punch but Rua avoids it by throwing Grasshopper back against the cage.
Grasshopper takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rua trying to land knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Rua.
Rua tries a knee to the head but Grasshopper blocks it.
Rua lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rua just leaning against Grasshopper, taking a breather.
Grasshopper misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rua is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rua misses with a knee strike.
Grasshopper blocks an elbow strike.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Grasshopper is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rua pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Little Grasshopper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua landing knees to the head.
Rua with a knee to the head.
Rua lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Grasshopper misses with a body punch.
Grasshopper working Rua over with knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Grasshopper blocks an elbow strike from Rua.
Rua trying to control the position but instead, Grasshopper has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rua into the cage.
Rua lands an elbow that stopped Grasshopper in his tracks for a moment.
Grasshopper misses with a body punch.
Grasshopper tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Grasshopper trying to control the position but instead, Rua has worked for underhooks and has pushed Grasshopper into the cage.
Rua looking to throw knees to the head but Grasshopper is blocking nicely.
Grasshopper stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Grasshopper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
Grasshopper stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rua trying to control the position but instead, Grasshopper has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rua into the cage.

That's four 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.
Rua lands a nice shot to the body.
Grasshopper misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Rua lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rua throws an elbow but it misses.
Rua misses with the head strike.
Grasshopper blocks the elbow strike.
Rua is trying to stall.
Rua tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Grasshopper using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rua has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A nice left hand lands by Grasshopper.
Grasshopper works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rua lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rua landing knees to the head.
Grasshopper using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rua has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rua throws an elbow but misses.
Rua with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A hook to the body from Rua.
Grasshopper throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Rua showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Little Grasshopper's cut.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nice cross by Rua.
Rua tries to clinch

and Grasshopper counters by moving into the clinch.
Grasshopper tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Rua using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Grasshopper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Grasshopper using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rua has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rua tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rua landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rua looking to slow down the pace here.
Rua tries to land a knee to the head but Grasshopper blocks with his arms.
Grasshopper looking to throw knees to the head but Rua is blocking nicely.
Rua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from Grasshopper.
Grasshopper tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Grasshopper misses with a body punch.
Rua comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Grasshopper looking to throw knees to the head but Rua is blocking nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Grasshopper putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rua in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rua lands an elbow that stopped Grasshopper in his tracks for a moment.
Rua stalling against the cage.
Rua avoiding damage as Grasshopper throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grasshopper avoids the elbow strike from Rua, against the cage.
Rua is trying to stall.
Rua slows down the pace here.
Grasshopper scores a nice knee to the body.
Rua throws a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper connects with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rua.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Grasshopper.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rua throws an elbow but misses.
Rua looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nice elbow from Rua.
Grasshopper using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rua has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rua has Grasshopper pushed against the cage.
Grasshopper connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rua's face.
Grasshopper is trying to stall.
Grasshopper dodges an elbow strike from Rua.
Little Grasshopper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua gets through Grasshopper's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Stalling in the clinch from Grasshopper.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Grasshopper takes an elbow to the temple.
Rua is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Grasshopper tries to work over Rua's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Grasshopper is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Grasshopper looking to throw knees to the head but Rua is blocking nicely.
Rua trying to control the position but instead, Grasshopper has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rua into the cage.
Grasshopper takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rua effectively controlling the action here.
Grasshopper blocks the elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mark Rua is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rua takes a knee to the side of the body.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the head but Rua blocks with his arms.
Grasshopper is looking to control Rua's arms but Rua gets an underhook and turns him. Now Grasshopper has his back to the cage.
Rua takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Grasshopper tries to stall but Rua uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Grasshopper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
Grasshopper misses with a knee strike.
Rua using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Grasshopper has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Grasshopper tries a knee to the head but Rua blocks it.
Grasshopper throws a head punch that misses.

That's four 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.
Grasshopper missing with knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rua creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rua takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rua lands a right hand.
Rua unloads a knee to the mid-section. Grasshopper lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Grasshopper throws a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rua taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Grasshopper looking to throw knees to the head but Rua is blocking nicely.
Grasshopper goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The referee calls for Rua to work.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from Grasshopper.
Grasshopper missing with knees to the body.
Grasshopper with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rua lands a nice elbow.
Rua lands a right hand that snaps the head of Grasshopper backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mark Rua.
Well Rua has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Rua!