PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pittawat Rukphairee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jirka Fukala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Fukala's choice of entrance music: Baby Bash featuring T-Pain. Jirka Fukala has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rukphairee
vs
Fukala

189 cm
24
184 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

185 cm
29
182 lbs
15 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Pittawat Rukphairee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jirka Fukala!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Gregory Folan and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fukala bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rukphairee's head backwards.
Rukphairee tries to close the distance and clinch but Fukala swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rukphairee looks for the body kick but Fukala saw that one coming.
Good leg kick by Rukphairee there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rukphairee displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fukala.
Rukphairee stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rukphairee wants it to stay on the feet.
Fukala throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Rukphairee gets a double leg takedown into Fukala's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Fukala controls Rukphairee momentarily but Rukphairee frees himself.
Fukala is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Rukphairee scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rukphairee looking to pass the guard.
Rukphairee is looking to work some ground and pound but Fukala has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukala manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rukphairee manages to get himself to full guard.

Rukphairee escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fukala gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fukala looking to pass the guard.
Rukphairee bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fukala's guard.
Rukphairee throws a big right hand that misses.
Fukala controls Rukphairee momentarily but Rukphairee frees himself.
Fukala seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Fukala keeping full guard, as Rukphairee tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rukphairee has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fukala tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rukphairee works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Rukphairee not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rukphairee missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fukala wants to get back to full guard.
Fukala regains full guard. 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!
Rukphairee wants to pass the guard but Fukala is keeping the position.
Rukphairee is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fukala keeping moving, preventing Rukphairee from controlling successfully.
Fukala manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rukphairee manages to get himself to full guard.
Rukphairee is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fukala won't allow Rukphairee to sweep him here.
Fukala forces his way into half guard.
Rukphairee is looking to improve his position.
Fukala throwing shots but Rukphairee is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukala wants to free his trapped foot but Rukphairee is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rukphairee is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fukala's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fukala's back!
Fukala just trying to survive but Rukphairee is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Fukala tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Fukala tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rukphairee looking to finish with strikes here!
Fukala slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rukphairee prevents Fukala from improving his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fukala keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rukphairee missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
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 Pittawat Rukphairee will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rukphairee throws a right hand that misses
and Fukala cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fukala thuds his right hand into Rukphairee's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fukala changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rukphairee tries to avoid it but Fukala manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rukphairee to the ground. Rukphairee escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rukphairee rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fukala moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fukala connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rukphairee. Rukphairee circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rukphairee looks to land a body kick but Fukala moved away.
Fukala throws a leg kick but Rukphairee moved away.
Rukphairee looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fukala fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rukphairee ducks under a wild hook from Fukala.
Nice body punch from Fukala.

Rukphairee fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fukala sprawls well initially but Rukphairee persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rukphairee missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fukala moves into full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fukala looking for a sweep. Not yet Fukala, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rukphairee postures up and lands a big shot to Fukala's brow.
Rukphairee pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fukala is keeping the position for now.
Fukala trying to keep a closed guard but Rukphairee is proving a slippery customer.
Rukphairee working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fukala keeping moving, preventing Rukphairee from controlling successfully.
Rukphairee stopping the sweep attempt from Fukala.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Fukala is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jirka Fukala hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Fukala paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rukphairee pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fukala misses with a right hand
letting Rukphairee counter with a right hand.
Fukala scores with a jab.
Rukphairee throws a leg kick but Fukala moved away.
Fukala takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Fukala lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd cheers as Fukala lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rukphairee doesn't seem phased though.
Fukala throws a lazy right hand but Rukphairee sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rukphairee uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fukala.

Rukphairee throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Fukala tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rukphairee is in Fukala's guard.
Fukala manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rukphairee manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fukala looking to pass the guard.

Rukphairee throws his legs up looking for a submission but Fukala uses it to pass to side control.
Fukala advances nicely into full mount.
Rukphairee is looking to improve his position but Fukala isn't that keen on the idea.
Fukala throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Fukala trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rukphairee manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rukphairee wants to control the action here but instead Fukala manages to pass to full mount!
Rukphairee tries to reverse the position but Fukala maintains control.
Fukala content just to control the position here.
Rukphairee bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Rukphairee wants to control from the top but Fukala keeps moving.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fukala wants to sweep here but Rukphairee controlling him for the moment.
Rukphairee stands and throws Fukala's legs to the side, diving into side control.
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 Pittawat Rukphairee will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Fukala gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rukphairee working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fukala is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rukphairee trying to control the position from guard on top but Fukala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Fukala looking for subs off his back but Rukphairee has passed one foot through into half guard.
Fukala is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukala is trying to control but can't.
Rukphairee wants to control but Fukala is keeping him busy.
Rukphairee tries to pass to full mount but Fukala defends it.
Fukala trying to hold on to Rukphairee's head to control him but Rukphairee postures up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Fukala keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fukala manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rukphairee wants to control from the top but Fukala keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rukphairee stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fukala swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fukala tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rukphairee looking to sit in guard and control but Fukala gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rukphairee is looking to sweep but instead, Fukala has passed into half guard.
Rukphairee is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rukphairee slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rukphairee is trying to keep Fukala in close.
Fukala tries to free his leg and advance position but Rukphairee is retaining full guard.
Rukphairee working a defensive guard here.
Jirka Fukala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pittawat Rukphairee is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rukphairee tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pittawat Rukphairee overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pittawat Rukphairee has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Rukphairee keeps Fukala at a distance using the push kick.
Fukala slips a jab and a cross from Rukphairee.
Rukphairee has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Fukala waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rukphairee.
Rukphairee tries to move into range but Fukala moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rukphairee steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fukala.
A punch lands to the side of Fukala 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A swing and a miss from Rukphairee.
Fukala moves out of range of the body kick from Rukphairee.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head kick misses from Rukphairee.
Rukphairee slips under a jab.
Fukala attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fukala throws a right hand that misses
enabling Rukphairee to counter with a crisp jab.
Rukphairee looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Fukala throws a hook to the side of Rukphairee's head but Rukphairee sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice defenses there by Rukphairee.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Pittawat Rukphairee.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rukphairee, 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pittawat Rukphairee!