PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alex Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Ruiz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruiz has chosen La Bamba as his entrance music. Alexander Ruiz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Ruiz

175 cm
20
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

189 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Ruiz!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Johnson looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ruiz makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ruiz.
Johnson being controlled here momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alexander Ruiz was stalling too much, according to the referee.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Johnson enables Ruiz to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Johnson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruiz stays in close to Johnson's body and controls the position.
Let's hope that Ruiz has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Alexander Ruiz has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Ruiz scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is being controlled here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Alexander Ruiz hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ruiz.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Ruiz on that attempt.
Ruiz shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ruiz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Alex Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Ruiz.
Ruiz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but Ruiz persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.

Ruiz scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ruiz controlling from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alexander Ruiz was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ruiz shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Ruiz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Ruiz changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson being controlled for a moment.
It looks like Ruiz might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Johnson stops Ruiz from passing to mount.
Johnson is being controlled here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alexander Ruiz was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Ruiz shoots in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Ruiz dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ruiz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ruiz napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ruiz can't do much from the bottom here.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Ruiz wants to control but Johnson postures up.
Ruiz has one of Johnson's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ruiz is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Alexander Ruiz hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Ruiz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.

Ruiz closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Johnson did well to prevent Ruiz getting side control.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ruiz in particular looking to stall.
Johnson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alexander Ruiz has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ruiz tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Alex Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Ruiz.
Ruiz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Johnson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ruiz to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ruiz controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Alexander Ruiz hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Ruiz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ruiz is concentrating on defense, preventing Johnson from advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alexander Ruiz wasn't active enough on the ground.

Ruiz drives through with a takedown into Johnson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ruiz seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alexander Ruiz was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ruiz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Ruiz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Ruiz shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Ruiz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ruiz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Johnson tries to avoid it but Ruiz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Johnson to the ground. Johnson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ruiz enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ruiz manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Johnson is sitting in close to Ruiz's body. Ruiz has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Johnson is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Johnson is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Ruiz.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Alexander Ruiz!