PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bubba Rugowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ghoul Ghotha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rugowski
vs
Ghotha

225 cm
30
277 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

207 cm
32
272 lbs
24 - 21 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q+Laundry!
Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q+Laundry!

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 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bubba Rugowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ghoul Ghotha!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rugowski tries to clinch but Ghotha is having none of it.
Rugowski really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ghotha looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rugowski tries to close the distance and clinch but Ghotha swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ghotha goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rugowski fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ghotha doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Rugowski counter with a right hand.
Ghotha misses with a series of wild punches.
A cross from Rugowski lands.
Ghotha fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bubba Rugowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Ghotha throws a sloppy head kick

and Rugowski counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rugowski lands an uppercut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ghotha has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rugowski after a bit of a struggle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rugowski keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ghotha's efforts to push away.

Rugowski breaks the clinch.
Ghotha takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Rugowski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ghotha swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ghotha doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rugowski counters with a three punch combo that has Ghotha backing up. Ghotha nods at Rugowski to acknowledge the strikes.
Ghoul Ghotha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Rugowski closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rugowski lands a left hand.
Ghotha has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rugowski after a bit of a struggle.
Rugowski looking to stall.

Rugowski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bubba Rugowski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rugowski with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rugowski lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rugowski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rugowski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ghotha shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rugowski defends it nicely.
Rugowski tries to clinch there but Ghotha circles away.
Ghotha misses with a head kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rugowski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ghotha fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters circling a little - Rugowski finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rugowski as he jumps to the side.
Rugowski fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rugowski tries to close the distance and clinch but Ghotha swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rugowski tries to clinch but Ghotha is having none of it.
Rugowski displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ghotha.
Rugowski slaps away a takedown attempt from Ghotha, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rugowski tries to close the distance and clinch but Ghotha swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ghotha shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha postures up in Rugowski's guard and throws a big left but Rugowski blocks it.
Rugowski managing to control the position.
Rugowski keeping full guard, as Ghotha tries to pass.
Ghotha throwing strikes from guard but Rugowski blocks nicely.
Ghotha throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ghotha throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bubba Rugowski dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ghotha doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rugowski counters with a solid body kick.
Ghotha with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rugowski counters with a head kick.
Rugowski tries to clinch up.
Ghotha takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ghotha misses with a takedown attempt
and Rugowski counters with a solid body kick.
Bubba Rugowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Rugowski is looking to clinch.
A slow jab from Ghotha misses its intended target.
Rugowski is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ghotha has his takedown stuffed

and Rugowski counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Rugowski breaks the clinch.

Rugowski rushes Ghotha and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rugowski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ghotha is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rugowski slaps away a takedown attempt from Ghotha, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ghotha slips a jab and a cross from Rugowski.

Rugowski lands a big head kick that sends Ghotha tumbling to the mat! Rugowski takes a step backwards and waves Ghotha back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Ghoul Ghotha has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rugowski gets a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Rugowski scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right from Rugowski.

Rugowski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bubba Rugowski is winning the standup battle so far.
Ghotha avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ghotha swats away the attempt to clinch by Rugowski.
Ghotha throws a sloppy head kick and Rugowski moves out of range easily.
Rugowski fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rugowski avoids it really well and circles away.
Bubba Rugowski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rugowski but Rugowski pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ghotha keeps the fight on the outside.

Rugowski instigates a clinch.

Rugowski manages to break the clinch.
Ghotha throws a leg kick

and Rugowski counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ghotha is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rugowski pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ghotha drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rugowski pulls his leg out and moves away.

Rugowski has closed the distance and engaged Ghotha in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rugowski will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ghotha up against the cage.
Rugowski connects with a knee to the head.
Rugowski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Rugowski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ghotha fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rugowski is looking to clinch.
Rugowski tries to clinch but Ghotha is having none of it.

Rugowski gets a clinch.
Rugowski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Rugowski manages to break the clinch.
Rugowski lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rugowski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ghotha throws a sloppy head kick
and Rugowski counters with a one-two to the body.
Rugowski stuffs the takedown attempt from Ghotha. Ghotha gets slowly back to his feet.

Rugowski moves into range and clinches up with Ghotha.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rugowski.
Rugowski with a knee to the head.
Rugowski lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rugowski lands a damaging elbow.
Rugowski throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rugowski working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Rugowski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rugowski bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Rugowski moves into the clinch.

Rugowski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ghotha swats away the attempt to clinch by Rugowski.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bubba Rugowski dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ghoul Ghotha's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ghotha avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Horrible takedown by Ghotha or perhaps it was just good defense by Rugowski which made him look bad.
Ghotha shoots in looking for a takedown but Rugowski manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ghotha's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Rugowski clinches up with Ghotha and pushes him back against the cage.
Rugowski is pressed up against the cage. Ghotha has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rugowski down to the mat. Rugowski avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bubba Rugowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Ghotha misses with a takedown attempt - Rugowski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Rugowski closes the distance and pushes Ghotha back into the cage.
Rugowski lands a body shot.
Nice body punch from Rugowski.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ghotha's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Rugowski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ghotha takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rugowski takes the fight into the clinch.

Rugowski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rugowski throws a series of punches but Ghotha moves out of range.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown but Rugowski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rugowski ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Ghotha gets tackled into the cage by Rugowski. Rugowski maintains the clinch.

Rugowski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rugowski lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ghotha takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rugowski lands a big head kick that sends Ghotha tumbling to the mat! Rugowski takes a step backwards and waves Ghotha back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Ghotha is rocked!

Rugowski gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ghotha is still on wobbly legs! Can Rugowski finish him?
Rugowski digs a right hand underneath Ghotha's ribcage. Ghotha let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ghoul Ghotha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ghotha seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rugowski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rugowski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rugowski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rugowski cracks Ghotha with an open hand slap.
Ghotha will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rugowski tries to clinch but Ghotha is having none of it.
Ghotha keeps the fight on the outside.

Rugowski instigates a clinch.
Rugowski lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rugowski lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Rugowski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rugowski rushes Ghotha and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rugowski pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rugowski lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Still in the clinch, Rugowski scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ghotha takes a shot to the head.

Rugowski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Ghotha gets tackled into the cage by Rugowski. Rugowski maintains the clinch.
Rugowski lands with a light punch inside.
Nice body punch from Rugowski - that landed with a thud.
Rugowski works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rugowski is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rugowski breaks the clinch.

Rugowski pushes Ghotha up against the cage in a clinch.

Rugowski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Rugowski clinches.

Rugowski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rugowski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rugowski is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ghotha swats away the attempt to clinch by Rugowski.

Rugowski takes the fight into the clinch.
Rugowski lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Rugowski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ghotha takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Ghotha fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rugowski to the ground. Ghotha is now in Rugowski's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ghotha with a nice head shot there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rugowski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bubba Rugowski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rugowski, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:26
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:26
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bubba Rugowski!
During a confident post fight interview, Bubba Rugowski thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.