PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Rush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Ferreira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Rush
vs
Ferreira

183 cm
22
140 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
145 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Elite Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Xavier Rush!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, James Ferreira!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rush misses with an uppercut.

Ferreira moves into the clinch successfully.
Rush is trying to break the clinch but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
Ferreira prevents Rush from breaking the clinch.
Rush wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rush wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
Rush wants to get back to striking at distance but Ferreira won't allow it.
Rush wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rush is trying to break free.
Rush can't break the clinch.
Rush really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rush wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
Come on Ferreira - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ferreira receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Rush wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rush is pressed up against the cage. Ferreira has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rush down to the mat. Rush avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nice takedown defense from Rush. No joy for Ferreira on that attempt.

Rush rushes Ferreira and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ferreira lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ferreira lands a body shot in the clinch.

Ferreira jumps into guard, dragging Rush to the mat.

Ferreira looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rush passes into side control.
Rush lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferreira on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Rush working the head and body with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rush wants to stand but Ferreira has his arm trapped.
Ferreira is trying to control Rush's posture but Rush avoids it.
Ferreira tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ferreira is not content to let Rush control the position.
Rush working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rush scoring with punches from side control.
Ferreira is trying to get back to half guard.
Rush cracks Ferreira with a big right hand but Ferreira just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Ferreira tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rush working away.
Rush throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Ferreira works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Ferreira regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ferreira is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ferreira can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Rush wants to pass the guard but Ferreira is keeping the position.
Rush with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rush throws and elbow that misses. Ferreira uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rush's guard. Nice move by Ferreira!
Rush controls Ferreira momentarily but Ferreira frees himself.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rush throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Ferreira.
Rush keeps the fight on the outside.
Rush throws out a loose jab but Ferreira uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ferreira fails with the takedown.
Xavier Rush has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Ferreira.
Rush throws a nice looking combination but Ferreira bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Ferreira shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rush manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rush fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Rush lands a big shot there that rocks Ferreira but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Xavier Rush will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rush misses with a two punch combination.
Rush tries to clinch up.
Rush throws a series of punches but Ferreira avoids them all with ease.

Ferreira closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rush to the mat! Rush manages to get full guard.
Rush is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ferreira keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rush missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rush thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ferreira's head.
Rush lands strikes from half guard.
Ferreira trying to control but Rush postures up.
Rush is looking to advance position but Ferreira won't allow it.
Rush scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferreira missing with punches from the bottom.
Ferreira is looking to control Rush's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ferreira avoid being mounted?

Rush decides to stand up.
Rush looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ferreira forces Rush back against the cage and clinches.
Rush misses with a punch on the inside.
Ferreira stalls.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rush is looking to break free of the clinch but Ferreira has double underhooks.
A right hook to the body lands for Ferreira.
Ferreira lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ferreira throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rushs head.
Ferreira lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rush is looking to break free of the clinch but Ferreira has double underhooks.
Ferreira prevents Rush from breaking the clinch.
Rush is looking to break free of the clinch but Ferreira has double underhooks.
Rush wants to break the clinch but can't.

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

Ferreira gets a clinch.
Rush is trying to break the clinch but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ferreira.
Rush wants to get back to striking at distance but Ferreira won't allow it.
Ferreira controlling the action here for a moment.
A short right from Rush on the inside.
Rush misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ferreira manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira lands a body shot.
Ferreira is trying to maintain a safe position but Rush gets an underhook and turns Ferreira into the cage.
Rush wants to get back to striking at distance but Ferreira won't allow it.
Rush wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
Rush is trying to break the clinch but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
Rush is trying to break the clinch but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
Rush wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
Rush is looking to break free of the clinch but Ferreira has double underhooks.
Ferreira tries to pull guard but Rush holds him up against the cage and eventually Ferreira drops back down to his feet.
Ferreira prevents Rush from breaking the clinch.
Ferreira lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ferreira is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rush is looking to break free of the clinch but Ferreira has double underhooks.
Rush is trying to break free.
Rush wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
Rush wants to get back to striking at distance but Ferreira won't allow it.
Rush wants to break free but Ferreira has control.
Ferreira tries to score a body lock takedown but Rush shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ferreira prevents Rush from breaking the clinch.

Ferreira manages to pull guard.
Ferreira manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rush manages to get himself to full guard.
Ferreira is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rush wants to improve his position but instead Ferreira has moved into half guard.
Well, if Ferreira is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Rush wants to get back to his feet.
Rush is looking to get back to full guard here but Ferreira has managed to pass to side control instead.
Rush is looking to improve his position but Ferreira isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Ferreira showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rush closes the distance looking to clinch

and Ferreira counters by clinching up.
Rush wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ferreira trying to stall but Rush improves his position.
Rush can't break the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ferreira working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ferreira is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rush is keeping busy.
Rush is trying to break the clinch but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ferreira.
Ferreira is trying to maintain a safe position but Rush gets an underhook and turns Ferreira into the cage.
Ferreira leaning against his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rush breaks the clinch.
Ferreira dodges the punch combination from Rush.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rush.
Ferreira has a takedown stuffed.
Ferreira takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rush throws a combination that misses

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rush punching from the bottom - just letting Ferreira know he's still in a fight.
Rush is looking to stand up but Ferreira isn't so interested in that idea.
Rush trying to control the position.
Ferreira is stalling in the full guard.
Ferreira stopping the sweep attempt from Rush.
Rush is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rush keeping moving, preventing Ferreira from controlling successfully.
Ferreira prevents Rush from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No joy there for Rush, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rush misses with a wild combination.
Ferreira stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rush throws a combination that misses

and Ferreira counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ferreira looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rush with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ferreira tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rush knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ferreira works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rush is bucking up trying to escape but Ferreira cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Ferreira prevents Rush from getting the reversal.
Ferreira controlling from mount.

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.
Ferreira punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rush takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Rush throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Ferreira tries to control but Rush wriggling away.
Rush is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Rush is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rush scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Xavier Rush is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ferreira avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rush looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ferreira darts in and clinches Rush up against the cage.
Rush wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ferreira tries to stall but Rush uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ferreira lands a body shot.
Rush letting Ferreira take a breather here.
Rush wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ferreira has him pressed against the cage.
Ferreira manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Rush lands a nice uppercut.
Rush lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ferreira backwards.
Ferreira trying to stall but Rush improves his position.
Ferreira lands with a short shot to the head.
Ferreira pushes Rush back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Ferreira creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rush looks to land a combination but Ferreira avoids it well.
Rush misses with a double jab

and Ferreira moves into the clinch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A short body shot lands from Ferreira as the two fighters clinch.
Ferreira lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Rush manages to break the clinch.
Ferreira dodges the punch combination from Rush.
Ferreira goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Ferreira drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rush wants to stand but Ferreira is controlling the position.
Rush throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Ferreira slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Ferreira stops Rush from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rush throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Ferreira stays in close to Rush's body and controls the position.
Rush is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ferreira is controlling him.
Rush is striking off his back. Ferreira thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Rush 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.
Rush moves into full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ferreira's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira stops Rush from standing up.
Rush thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ferreira stays in close to Rush's body and controls the position.
Ferreira prevents Rush from getting back to his feet.
Ferreira controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rush wants to sweep here but Ferreira controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Ferreira drops back looking for a leg! Rush is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rush manages to kick Ferreira off! Ferreira jumps back into Rush's guard.
Ferreira won't allow Rush to sweep him here.
Rush is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ferreira is controlling him.
Ferreira stopping the sweep attempt from Rush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Ferreira dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ferreira darts in and clinches Rush up against the cage.

Rush breaks from the clinch.
Ferreira steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rush.
Ferreira lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rush throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ferreira.
Rush throws a combination that misses

and Ferreira counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ferreira.
Ferreira looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Rush striking off his back but it's not causing Ferreira any problems.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Ferreira sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rush wants to sweep here but Ferreira controlling him for the moment.
Ferreira wants to control from the top but Rush keeps moving.
Rush has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ferreira has passed into side control.
Ferreira wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rush keeps working.
Ferreira gets to mount! Rush was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Rush is looking to improve his position but Ferreira isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ferreira fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Ferreira tries to control but Rush wriggling away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ferreira cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Ferreira trying to control but Rush is having none of it.
BOOM! Ferreira connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Rush working to try and regain half guard.
Ferreira sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira looking to control but Rush is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rush is desperately trying to improve his position but Ferreira has a good base and remains in mount.
Ferreira controlling his opponent.
Ferreira landing strikes, looking to finish!

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.
Rush sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Rush misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Rush wants to get back to his feet.
Ferreira is looking to take a break and control but Rush is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rush wants to get back to his feet.
Xavier Rush has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rush strikes from the bottom but Ferreira uses the opportunity to move to side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Ferreira comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ferreira 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 46:49
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Ferreira!
James Ferreira is the new bantamweight champion!