PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randall Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rua comes into the arena with West Bound And Down blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Johnson's choice of entrance music: East Bound And Down. Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. 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.

Rua
vs
Johnson

180 cm
27
199 lbs
17 - 14 - 1

195 cm
32
267 lbs
27 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Rebel Pride Clothing. (Death Before Dishonor) $8 S

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Rua!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Randall Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Rua plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Rua looks to land a combination but Johnson avoids it well.
Rua lands with a right hand.
Rua throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.

Johnson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rua sprawls well initially but Johnson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rua has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.
Johnson is just content to waste time from the top position. Rua takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Rua is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rua manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Johnson has Rua in his guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rua trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rua.
Rua trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rua looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rua is looking for a triangle but Johnson pushes his legs off easily.
Rua controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.
Johnson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Johnson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua working a defensive guard here.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rua swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Randall Johnson wasn't active enough on the ground.
Rua lands with a kick to the temple. Johnson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Rua tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rua somewhat.

Johnson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rua on his heels. He'll look to pass Rua's guard now, I'm sure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rua is pulling down on Johnson's head. It's preventing any offense from Johnson, at least for the moment.

Rua has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Johnson doesn't defend quickly enough and Rua has managed to lock this one up! Can Johnson escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Rua on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Alex Rua!
Alex Rua is the new super heavyweight champion!
Alex Rua decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.