PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Talos Dovahkiin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dovahkiin has chosen The Dragonborn Comes as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Talos Dovahkiin enters the cage!

Rua
vs
Dovahkiin

195 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
18
281 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Talos Dovahkiin!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Edson Gomes and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dovahkiin connects with a body shot that sends Rua's belly button to the back.
Rua misses with an uppercut.
Nice uppercut lands for Dovahkiin. That snapped Rua's head back.
Rua shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dovahkiin pinned against the cage. Dovahkiin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Dovahkiin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rua.
Dovahkiin leaves Rua with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrigo Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua doesn't manage to clinch there - Dovahkiin circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dovahkiin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Dovahkiin scoring with strikes but Rua is staying in there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rua wants to hold on but Dovahkiin pushes him away.
Dovahkiin throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rua because Dovahkiin loaded up on that one.
Dovahkiin thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

Dovahkiin wants to finish this one by submission but Rua is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Dovahkiin.
Dovahkiin punching from mount but Rua doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dovahkiin trying to control but Rua is having none of it.

Dovahkiin looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Rua can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dovahkiin throws some wild stikes that Rua manages to avoid easily.
BOOM! Dovahkiin connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Rua wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Dovahkiin.
Dovahkiin landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dovahkiin looking to control but Rua is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Dovahkiin swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rua is now in Dovahkiin's guard. A big mistake from Dovahkiin there, giving up the dominant position!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dovahkiin keeping moving, preventing Rua from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Talos Dovahkiin dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dovahkiin should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Rua is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Dovahkiin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rua prevents it.

Dovahkiin has clasped his hands together around Rua's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Rua defending against the ground and pound.
Rua struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dovahkiin working the head with strikes.
Rua manages to work his way to half guard, despite Dovahkiin's best efforts.
Rua makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rua.
Dovahkiin looking to pass the guard.
Dovahkiin preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua has momentary wrist control but Dovahkiin slips an elbow through the middle.
Rua utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rua looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dovahkiin is one step ahead there.
Dovahkiin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dovahkiin wants to pass the guard but Rua is keeping the position.
Talos Dovahkiin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dovahkiin passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rua is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Dovahkiin off and has taken his back!
Dovahkiin tries to escape but Rua has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rua is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Dovahkiin has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rua looking for the choke but no joy.
Dovahkiin turns into Rua and is now in his guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rua is trying to keep Dovahkiin in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rodrigo Rua will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rua shoots in but no luck this time.
Rua fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dovahkiin. Rua does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dovahkiin takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rua slips under a jab from Dovahkiin.
Rua tries to clinch but Dovahkiin is having none of it.
Rua has his takedown stuffed
and Dovahkiin counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrigo Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rua shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dovahkiin defends it nicely.
Rua is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dovahkiin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dovahkiin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Rua counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Dovahkiin is looking for a sweep. Rua is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dovahkiin manages to get to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dovahkiin is on top in guard.
Dovahkiin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rua looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Dovahkiin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua tries to roll over but Dovahkiin keeps him under control.
Dovahkiin working the head and body with strikes.
Rua trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua is in trouble now - Dovahkiin has advanced to mount!
Dovahkiin putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Rua tries to reverse the position but Dovahkiin maintains control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dovahkiin throws some wild stikes that Rua manages to avoid easily.
Dovahkiin punishing his opponent with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Talos Dovahkiin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dovahkiin 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Talos Dovahkiin!
An out of breath Talos Dovahkiin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.