PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pierre Gautier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josip Ruzic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruzic has chosen Kid N Play - Gettin' Funky as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gautier
vs
Ruzic

187 cm
32
202 lbs
26 - 8 - 0

185 cm
32
192 lbs
30 - 10 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pierre Gautier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josip Ruzic!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruzic fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gautier.
Ruzic fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ruzic digs a good body shot into Gautier's ribs.
Ruzic throws a nice inside leg kick.
Pierre Gautier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice combination there by Gautier.

It looks like Josip Ruzic has been cut.
Gautier has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ruzic.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ruzic looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Gautier - that will leave a mark!
A slapping leg kick lands for Ruzic.
A telegraphed right hand from Ruzic misses the target.
Ruzic ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gautier blocks a jab.
Ruzic thumps Gautier with a low kick.
Ruzic lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ruzic digs a good hook to Gautier's body.
Ruzic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gautier sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gautier feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ruzic's calf.
Gautier throws a head kick but Ruzic moves out of range.
Gautier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruzic manages to avoid it.
Ruzic scores with a jab to the body.
Ruzic is looking to score with low kicks.
Gautier avoids the body shot from Ruzic.
Ruzic connects with a high kick.
Ruzic scores with a leg kick.
Ruzic throws a right hand that Gautier ducks under and follows up with a left that Gautier also avoids with ease.
Decent striking displayed by Gautier there.
Ruzic stuns Gautier with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Gautier closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ruzic is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gautier is defending well.
Gautier tries to work over Ruzic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ruzic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gautier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ruzic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gautier looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nice body punch from Ruzic.
Ruzic keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Ruzic changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gautier looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Ruzic is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gautier is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ruzic is looking to take a break and control but Gautier is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The strikes coming from Ruzic are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gautier is not content to let Ruzic control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ruzic throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ruzic is looking to take a break and control but Gautier is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ruzic is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic advances to full mount.
Ruzic landing strikes from the mount and Gautier is in trouble!
Gautier wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Ruzic throwing strikes here but Gautier is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gautier tries to hold on but Ruzic postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josip Ruzic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Josip Ruzic's cut.
That's time! Gautier's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ruzic misses with a double jab.
Gautier throws a head kick but Ruzic moves out of range.
Ruzic is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gautier rather than just go for the knockout.
Ruzic throws a shot from downtown. Gautier moves away and avoids it.
Gautier throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gautier throws a low kick but Ruzic moves out of range easily.
Gautier takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Gautier scores with a shot to the body.
Gautier finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Gautier ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ruzic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good leg kick by Gautier there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ruzic.
Gautier throws a leg kick but Ruzic sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ruzic misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gautier bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ruzic checks the leg kick nicely there.
Gautier is looking to chop away at Ruzic's legs.
Gautier misses with a head kick.

Ruzic fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gautier to the ground. Ruzic is now in Gautier's guard.
Ruzic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gautier swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ruzic cracks Gautier with a solid left hand.
Ruzic is looking to work some ground and pound but Gautier has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ruzic pushing down on Gautier's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ruzic trying to mount his opponent but Gautier defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic is keen to just control but Gautier is a slippery customer.

Ruzic is working for a submission of some sort.
Ruzic has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ruzic looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic stalling.
Gautier tries to get to full guard but Ruzic has control of the leg.
Ruzic is trying to control. Gautier wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ruzic is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Gautier tries to hold on but Ruzic postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic tries to control but Gautier wriggling away.
Ruzic lands with some strikes.
Ruzic lands a heavy elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ruzic swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Gautier is now in Ruzic's guard. A big mistake from Ruzic there, giving up the dominant position!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ruzic is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gautier is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josip Ruzic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Josip Ruzic's cut.
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. And we move into the final round!

Donk. Ruzic catches Gautier right on the button with a cross.
Ruzic misses with a takedown attempt - Gautier sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ruzic tries to land a front kick but Gautier steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gautier thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ruzic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gautier's head.
Gautier misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruzic.
Ruzic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gautier was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruzic.
Josip Ruzic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gautier on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gautier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ruzic misses with a straight left.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ruzic.
Gautier looks to score with a jab to the body but Ruzic is just out of range.
Gautier throws a low kick but Ruzic avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruzic scores with a decent looking hook.
Ruzic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ruzic scores with a hook to the body. Gautier takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ruzic misses with a looping right.
Ruzic tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gautier swivels and escapes.
Gautier listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ruzic stalks Gautier and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gautier's face. Gautier staggers backwards, shaken.
Pierre Gautier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gautier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gautier tries to land a leg kick but Ruzic saw it coming and moves away.
Gautier slaps away a takedown attempt from Ruzic, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pierre Gautier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josip Ruzic.
Gautier swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gautier lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic throws a body punch but Gautier moves out of range.
Gautier fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ruzic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ruzic lands a slapping body shot.
Ruzic lands a nice looking body shot.
Ruzic moves out of range as Gautier throws a body kick.
Ruzic scores with a punch to the head.
Ruzic scores with a hook to the body. Gautier takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gautier is looking to slow Ruzic down with leg kicks.
Gautier is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A big left from Gautier misses.
Nice uppercut there from Gautier.
Gautier scores with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gautier manages to avoid it.

Gautier gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ruzic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gautier backwards.
Ruzic misses with a punch to the body.
Gautier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Ruzic manages to break the clinch.
Ruzic avoids the head kick by Gautier.
An inside leg kick lands from Ruzic.
Josip Ruzic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ruzic throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gautier on the side of the head.
Ruzic throws a lazy right hand but Gautier sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ruzic.
Gautier stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ruzic.
Ruzic lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gautier tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ruzic was well out of range. Poor timing from Gautier.
Ruzic throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ruzic throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ruzic bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gautier attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gautier is looking to score with low kicks.
Ruzic throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ruzic lands a nice shot to the body.
Gautier digs a good hook to Ruzic's body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruzic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A left and a right from Ruzic both land. Nice combination.
Pierre Gautier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gautier throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josip Ruzic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ruzic winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josip Ruzic!
A victorious Josip Ruzic thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.