PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andy Ruchel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Seagal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruchel comes to the cage accompanied by Blow Me Away. Andy Ruchel has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Ruchel
vs
Seagal

190 cm
19
175 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

178 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andy Ruchel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steven Seagal!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ruchel scores with a takedown into Seagal's guard.
Ruchel is looking to work some ground and pound but Seagal has wrist control.
Ruchel working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ruchel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ruchel slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Seagal sneaks back into half guard.
Ruchel will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ruchel throwing shots but Seagal is blocking nicely.
Seagal is looking for a sweep. Ruchel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ruchel is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Seagal has hold of Ruchel's hands but Ruchel slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ruchel tries to pass the half guard into mount. Seagal knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Seagal is looking for a sweep. Ruchel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ruchel looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Seagal with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ruchel landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Seagal is pressing down on Ruchel's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Seagal is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ruchel advances position into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruchel is working Seagal over with some ground and pound from side control.
Ruchel landing strikes.
Ruchel landing a few strikes.
Ruchel working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Seagal taking a bit of punishment here - Ruchel scoring with strikes.
Ruchel lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Seagal down.
Ruchel lands a nice forearm strike.
Seagal takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Seagal is trying to buck Ruchel off.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ruchel is chipping away with strikes.
Seagal manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Seagal trying to mount his opponent but Ruchel defends it.
Seagal seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Seagal seems to be working for a kimura but Ruchel defends the submission attempt.
Ruchel throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruchel gets back to full guard.
Ruchel trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Ruchel throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ruchel throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
Ruchel trying to strike off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Seagal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Ruchel shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ruchel lands strikes from half guard.

Seagal looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Seagal looks gassed!
Seagal is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruchel works his foot free and advances to mount.
Seagal can't escape the position.
A nice elbow there by Ruchel.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Seagal is desperately trying to improve his position but Ruchel has a good base and remains in mount.
Ruchel avoids the attempt from Seagal to control.
A nice elbow there by Ruchel.
Ruchel in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Ruchel working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Seagal is trying to escape the mount.
Seagal is bucking up trying to escape but Ruchel cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Ruchel has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ruchel lands a big elbow.
Ruchel has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Seagal's face.
Ruchel with good strikes from the mount here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruchel putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Seagal tries to hold on but Ruchel pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Ruchel.
Ruchel punishing his opponent with strikes.
Ruchel is landing with some decent strikes but Seagal is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Ruchel working Seagal over with strikes here.
Ruchel postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Seagal looks a forlorn figure.
Ruchel with good strikes from the mount here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ruchel landing strikes from the mount.
Seagal is bucking up trying to escape but Ruchel cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Seagal is looking to improve his position but Ruchel isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ruchel connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Ruchel is landing with some decent strikes but Seagal is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Seagal tries to lock up and control but Ruchel gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ruchel lands with some strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Ruchel dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Horrible takedown by Ruchel or perhaps it was just good defense by Seagal which made him look bad.

Seagal drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Seagal tries for a kimura but Ruchel is defending well.
Ruchel tries to buck Seagal off but Seagal is having none of it.
Ruchel throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Seagal working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Ruchel striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Seagal is looking to take a break and control but Ruchel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ruchel manages to work his way to half guard, despite Seagal's best efforts.
Ruchel gets back to full guard.
Seagal is breathing heavily.
Ruchel trying to strike off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Seagal won't allow Ruchel to sweep him here.
Ruchel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ruchel is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ruchel slips a nice elbow through Seagal's hands, connecting with Seagal's forehead.
Ground and pound from Ruchel.
Seagal is looking for a sweep. Ruchel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ruchel lands strikes from half guard.
Ruchel working Seagal over with strikes.
Seagal is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ruchel scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ruchel looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Seagal is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ruchel drops an elbow to the side of Seagal's head.
Ruchel is nestled in close to Seagal, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Seagal lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Ruchel looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruchel looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ruchel working the head and body with strikes.
Ruchel is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ruchel lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ruchel tries to pass the half guard into mount. Seagal knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Seagal shoots in but no luck this time.
Ruchel misses with a takedown attempt

and Seagal decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ruchel's guard.

Seagal is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Andy Ruchel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Seagal wants to pass the guard but Ruchel is keeping the position.
Ruchel throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Seagal passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Seagal is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ruchel is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ruchel is looking to regain half guard here but Seagal keeps moving and retains side control.
Seagal controlling from side mount.
Seagal advances to mount.
Seagal looking to control but Ruchel is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Seagal looking for a guillotine from mount but Ruchel is having none of it.
Ruchel gets back to half guard.
Seagal wants to free his trapped foot but Ruchel is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Seagal blocks the strikes from Ruchel.
Ruchel wants to improve his position but Seagal is controlling well.

Seagal is looking for a kimura but Ruchel is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Seagal to get the leverage.
Ruchel gets back to full guard.
Ruchel punching from the bottom.
Ruchel wants to sweep but no luck.
Ruchel throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Horrible takedown by Seagal or perhaps it was just good defense by Ruchel which made him look bad.

Ruchel closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ruchel lands in his opponent's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ruchel's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ruchel preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Steven Seagal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ruchel closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Seagal to the mat! Seagal manages to get full guard.
Ruchel is working Seagal over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Seagal thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ruchel lands a couple of elbows.
Ruchel is working Seagal over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Seagal has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ruchel can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Seagal doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Ruchel stands up over Seagal, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ruchel scoring with some ground and pound.

Ruchel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ruchel chips away with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ruchel postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Seagal is looking for a triangle but Ruchel pushes his legs off easily.

Seagal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruchel won't allow Seagal to sweep him here.

Seagal has his foot on Ruchel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ruchel works his way back into a safe position though.
Ruchel passes Seagal's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Seagal throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Ruchel lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ruchel is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Seagal tries to get to full guard but Ruchel has control of the leg.
Ruchel is nestled in close to Seagal, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ruchel working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Seagal is in trouble now - Ruchel has advanced to mount!
Seagal is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruchel is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Seagal really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Seagal flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Seagal tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ruchel putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Seagal bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Seagal trying to control the position from guard on top but Ruchel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Seagal is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ruchel tries to strike from the bottom.
Seagal postures up in Ruchel's guard and throws a big left but Ruchel blocks it.
Seagal must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Seagal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ruchel throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Ruchel throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Ruchel keeping full guard, as Seagal tries to pass.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ruchel has his takedown stuffed

and Seagal holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ruchel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Seagal gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ruchel looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andy Ruchel. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Seagal has clasped his hands together around Ruchel's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Ruchel sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ruchel is looking to improve his position.
Ruchel is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Seagal's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Seagal's back!
Ruchel lands a shot to the body.
Seagal rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Seagal works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ruchel scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ruchel lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Seagal seems keen to control Ruchel's posture.
Ruchel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Ruchel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ruchel passes into half guard.
Seagal is trying to control but can't.
Ruchel wants to pass the guard but Seagal is defending well.
Ruchel passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Seagal!
Ruchel landing strikes from the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Andy Ruchel.
I think Ruchel has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Ruchel!