PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Math Rastafari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mauricio Rua told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Rastafari
vs
Rua

176 cm
26
210 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Math Rastafari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mauricio Rua!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Paulsen Ambrosius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rastafari works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rastafari lands an overhand right.
Rastafari stuffs the takedown.
Rua takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Mauricio Rua has been cut.
Rastafari doesn't manage to clinch there - Rua circles away.

Rastafari takes the fight into the clinch.
Rua looking for a takedown.
Math Rastafari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mauricio Rua.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rua is trying to maintain a safe position but Rastafari gets an underhook and turns Rua into the cage.
Rastafari lands with a short shot to the head.

Rastafari breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rastafari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rua sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rastafari connects with a body shot that sends Rua's belly button to the back.
Rua shoots in but Rastafari avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Math Rastafari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rastafari with a hook.
Rastafari scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rua swats away the attempt to clinch by Rastafari.
Rastafari looks to clinch

and Rua counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rastafari's guard now.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Rua drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rastafari dives on top into guard.
Rastafari wants to get up but he can't break Rua's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rua controls Rastafari momentarily but Rastafari frees himself.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rastafari is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua has a closed guard, preventing Rastafari from standing up.
Rastafari wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.

Rua working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rastafari doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rastafari manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rastafari wants to stand and escape but instead Rua has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Rastafari is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rua content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua trying to control the position from guard on top but Rastafari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rua 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.
Rua trying to control the position from guard on top but Rastafari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mauricio Rua has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Rua fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The fighters circling - Rastafari throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rua fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rastafari getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rastafari closes the distance and clinches.
Rua is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rastafari is defending well.

Rua has clasped his hands together around Rastafari's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
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!
Rua is looking to take a break and control but Rastafari is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rastafari is trying to improve his position.
Rastafari on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rastafari tries to get out of the position.
Rastafari is trying to work for a sweep but Rua has mounted him!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rua lands a big shot there that rocks Rastafari but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rua lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Rastafari hang on?

Rua working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
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 Math Rastafari will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mauricio Rua's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rua swats away the attempt to clinch by Rastafari.
Mauricio Rua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rastafari connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rua. Rua circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rua takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rastafari tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rua counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rua.
Rastafari seems keen to control Rua's posture.
Rastafari utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rastafari looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rua is one step ahead there.
Rua wants to control from the top but Rastafari keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rastafari pushes Rua off and gets back to his feet.
Rastafari scores with a three punch combo!
Math Rastafari is winning the standup battle so far.
Rastafari lands a jab to the head.
Rastafari wants to clinch

and Rua counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rua trying to pass the guard but Rastafari defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rastafari is trying to get back to full guard.

Rastafari is defending against the submission attempts here by Rua.

Rua is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rua throwing shots but Rastafari is blocking nicely.

Rua wants to work for an arm triangle but Rastafari is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rua thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rastafari's head.
Rastafari tries to kick Rua off but Rua keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rastafari is looking to get back to is feet but Rua passes into side control.
Rastafari is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rua asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Rastafari manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Rua is working for a submission of some sort.
Rastafari keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rua stops Rastafari from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rua seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Rastafari is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Mauricio Rua!