PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michael St Pierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksander Rugova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). St Pierre kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is DMX - Where My Dawgs At. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

St Pierre
vs
Rugova

179 cm
19
155 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

170 cm
21
155 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Xotic Fruits

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael St Pierre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aleksander Rugova!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
St Pierre shoots for a double leg takedown but Rugova sprawls well. He's pushed St Pierre's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rugova swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rugova loads up on a big right hand but St Pierre slips the punch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from St Pierre.
St Pierre fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael St Pierre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rugova lands a straight punch to the body, keeping St Pierre at a distance.
No joy there for Rugova, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
St Pierre blocks a head kick by Rugova.
St Pierre avoids the head kick by Rugova.
A combination from Rugova does no damage.
St Pierre shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rugova as he jumps to the side.
St Pierre fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
St Pierre tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rugova clobbers St Pierre with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rugova throws a sloppy head kick and St Pierre moves out of range easily.
Rugova pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rugova misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rugova tries to bum rush St Pierre with a series of wild strikes but St Pierre uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
St Pierre looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
St Pierre tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rugova swivels and escapes.
Rugova fails to land with a series of punches.
Rugova ducks down and throws a hook to the body but St Pierre moves away.
Rugova looks to land a combination but St Pierre avoids it well.
Rugova tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
St Pierre shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rugova as he avoids it easily.
St Pierre is breathing heavily.
Rugova keeps the fight on the outside.
No luck for St Pierre with that takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Rugova.

St Pierre clinches up with Rugova and pushes him back against the cage.
Rugova is trying to break the clinch but St Pierre has him pressed against the cage.

Rugova tightens his grip and picks St Pierre up, before dumping him to the ground. St Pierre manages to land in guard.

Rugova gets to his feet. St Pierre looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
St Pierre shoots for a takedown but Rugova saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rugova.
Rugova thuds a left hand into St Pierre's body.
Rugova connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between St Pierre's hands.
Rugova dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Aleksander Rugova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rugova throws a combination but it was largely blocked by St Pierre.
Rugova throws a jab but it's blocked by St Pierre.

St Pierre shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
St Pierre forces his way into half guard.
St Pierre wants to take a breather but Rugova is having none of it.
St Pierre is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre trying to control from half guard but Rugova is working away.

St Pierre is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Rugova has managed to free his arm - good work.

St Pierre is trying to work for a kimura but Rugova is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksander Rugova dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rugova gets caught flat footed, as St Pierre shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rugova is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rugova is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
St Pierreis looking to pass into half guard but Rugova pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Rugova is in guard.
St Pierre is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
St Pierre is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rugova wants to stand and escape but instead St Pierre has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre passes Rugova's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
St Pierre throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rugova is trying to stand.
St Pierre wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rugova keeps working.

St Pierre seems to be working for a kimura but Rugova defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
St Pierre is just content to waste time from the top position. Rugova takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
St Pierre stays in close to Rugova's body and controls the position.
St Pierre tries to free his leg and advance position but Rugova is retaining full guard.
St Pierre trying to control the position from guard on top but Rugova is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
St Pierre blocks a head kick by Rugova.
St Pierre tries to close the distance and clinch but Rugova swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Rugova as St Pierre shoots in.
St Pierre changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rugova tries to avoid it but St Pierre manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rugova to the ground. Rugova escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
St Pierre shoots in looking for a takedown. Rugova tries to sprawl out of it but St Pierre keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rugova manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael St Pierre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
St Pierre tries to clinch up.
St Pierre fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
St Pierre shoots for a takedown but Rugova saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
St Pierre throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rugova's waist but Rugova gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing St Pierre off to one side.
Rugova rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but St Pierre moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rugova swings for the body but St Pierre moves out of range.
Rugova throws a nice looking combination but St Pierre bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
St Pierre has a takedown stuffed.
St Pierre blocks the body kick.
Rugova misses with a few strikes there.
St Pierre fails to land the takedown.
Rugova dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice sprawl there from Rugova as St Pierre shoots in.
Rugova throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
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 Michael St Pierre will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

St Pierre shoots for a double leg takedown but Rugova sprawls well. He's pushed St Pierre's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rugova throws a right and a left that St Pierre avoids nicely.
Rugova looks to land a combination but St Pierre avoids it well.
St Pierre will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rugova is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down St Pierre rather than just go for the knockout.
Rugova misses with a body kick.
Rugova throws a sloppy head kick and St Pierre moves out of range easily.
St Pierre avoids the head kick by Rugova.
Rugova misses with a hook.
St Pierre tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rugova swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rugova lunges at St Pierre with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by St Pierre's hand.
St Pierre fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael St Pierre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rugova scores with a jab. St Pierre acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rugova misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre dodges the punch combination from Rugova.
Rugova lands with a kick to the ribs.
St Pierre changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rugova tries to avoid it but St Pierre manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rugova to the ground. Rugova escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
St Pierre closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A combination from Rugova does no damage.
St Pierre moves in looking to clinch but Rugova pushes him off.
Rugova throws a shot from downtown. St Pierre moves away and avoids it.
Rugova misses with a series of wild punches.
Rugova misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rugova thows a body shot but no joy.
Rugova fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre shoots in but Rugova avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rugova fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as St Pierre checks a leg kick.
Aleksander Rugova is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No joy there for Rugova, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rugova throws a series of punches but St Pierre avoids them all with ease.
Rugova fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice sprawl there from Rugova as St Pierre shoots in.
Rugova throws a nice looking combination but St Pierre bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
St Pierre takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
St Pierre tries to clinch but Rugova is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rugova throws a big shot that misses.
Rugova ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rugova misses with a head kick.
Rugova misses with a jab, cross combination.
St Pierre is looking to clinch but Rugova is avoiding it.
Rugova misses with a jab, cross combination.
St Pierre moves out of range as Rugova strikes.
A punch combination from Rugova misses.
St Pierre avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rugova throws the kick towards the body but St Pierre avoids it.
Rugova throws a nice looking combination but St Pierre bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Danga de danga de dang - Rugova scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Michael St Pierre has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rugova stuffs the takedown.
No joy there for Rugova, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
St Pierre fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
St Pierre slips a straight right by Rugova.
Rugova swinging wilding here.
Rugova throws a hook but St Pierre avoids it easily.
Rugova throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
St Pierre fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Rugova as St Pierre shoots in.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksander Rugova comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rugova 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksander Rugova!