PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fernado Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith has chosen Big and Red by EC as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Rua
vs
Smith

190 cm
24
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

186 cm
18
187 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fernado Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matthew Smith!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, George Francis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Rua decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Smith's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rua accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rua trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Rua tries to stand but Smith is controlling from the bottom.

Rua stands up from Smith's guard - Rua perhaps looking for a knockout.
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rua but Rua pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rua counters with a series of strikes. Smith will be more careful next time no doubt.
Fernado Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Smith.
Rua shoots in looking for a takedown but Smith manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rua's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Rua drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith defending against the ground and pound.

Rua tries for a kimura but Smith is defending well.
Rua wants to stand but Smith has his arm trapped.
Rua throws a strike aimed at the side of Smith's head but Smith avoids it well.
Rua scores with punches from side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith can't do much from the bottom here.

Rua decides to stand up, so the ref orders Smith to his feet.

Rua drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rua has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Smith is proving hard to escape from.
Smith trying to control the position.

Rua avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rua wants to stand but Smith is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rua cracks Smith with a solid left hand.
Rua has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Smith is proving hard to escape from.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruais looking to pass into half guard but Smith pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Smith is in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fernado Rua dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rua keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rua defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fernado Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Rua shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Smith tries to get to full guard but Rua has control of the leg.
Rua is just content to waste time from the top position. Smith takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua controlling from the top position.
Rua scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rua defends well.
Rua tries to stand but Smith is controlling from the bottom.
Rua wants to stand and escape but instead Smith has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith throws an elbow that misses. Rua uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Smith's guard. Nice move by Rua!
Rua wants to stand and escape but instead Smith has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smith is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rua is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rua has escaped and now he's on top!
Rua wants to stand and escape but instead Smith has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
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 Fernado Rua will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rua shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Rua is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Smith doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rua.
Rua tries to pass to full mount but Smith defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua is trying to control the action in half guard but Smith is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Smith has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rua is working away from the top position though.
Rua thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.
Smith is not content to let Rua control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Fernado Rua wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Smith shoots in but Rua avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rua is pressed up against the cage. Smith has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rua down to the mat. Rua avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rua counters with a shoot takedown. Smith fights it but they end up in guard.
Fernado Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Smith.
Rua trying to stand up but can't free himself from Smith's guard.
Smith lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rua!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua blocking the ground and pound.

Smith goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Rua is on top in guard.
Rua is looking to stand up but Smith won't let him.
Smith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rua lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rua gets to his feet. Smith looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Smith with a poor takedown

and Rua counters with a takedown into side control.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rua swings around for an armbar but Smith sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Rua's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Smith has gone for a leg lock! Rua slips out almost immediately though and dives into Smith's guard.
Rua throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rua content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Rua decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fernado Rua clearly takes that 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.

Rua defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Rua fails with a takedown attempt.
Rua closes the distance and clinches up with Smith, looking for a takedown. Rua pushes Smith against the cage but Smith circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith has his takedown stuffed

and Rua counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Smith's guard now.

Rua stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rua stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Fernado Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Smith.

Smith gets a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Smith is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rua defends it well.
Smith is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rua won't allow Smith to pass to mount.
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.

Smith seems to be working for a kimura but Rua defends the submission attempt.

Smith is looking for a kimura but Rua is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Smith to get the leverage.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but Rua is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smith stops Rua from getting back to his feet.

Smith is working for a kimura but Rua is defending it quite comfortably.

Smith looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rua has one foot on Smith's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Fernado Rua will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Rua tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rua manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Smith with that takedown attempt.
Fernado Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Smith or perhaps it was just good defense by Rua which made him look bad.
Rua fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.

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

Rua has Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Rua lands a nice elbow.
Smith avoids the elbow strike from Rua, against the cage.
Rua throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Rua lands an elbow inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rua throws an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Smith's brow.
Smith blocks an elbow strike.
Smith blocks the elbow strike.
Rua looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Smith blocks an elbow strike.
Rua throws an elbow that misses.
Rua lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rua throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Smith's brow.
Rua gets underhooks to prevent Smith's takedown attempt.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rua just misses with a elbow thrown towards Smith's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith dodges an elbow strike from Rua.
Smith can't get the takedown.
Smith is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Smith is trying to drag Rua to the mat but Rua just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rua throws an elbow but it misses.
Fernado Rua is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith blocks an elbow strike.
Smith is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rua is defending well.
Smith avoids a wild elbow strike from Rua.
Rua throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Smith blocks an elbow strike from Rua.
Rua gets underhooks to prevent Smith's takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fernado Rua showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rua has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight for Fernado Rua!
Judge George Francis scores the fight for Fernado Rua!
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Fernado Rua!

Fernado Rua wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Fernado Rua, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.