PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bubba Rugowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ghoul Ghotha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Rugowski
vs
Ghotha

225 cm
33
277 lbs
23 - 12 - 1

207 cm
36
272 lbs
29 - 28 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bubba Rugowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 28 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ghoul Ghotha!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Matheus Silva and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rugowski lands with a slapping head kick.
Rugowski tries to clinch up.
Rugowski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rugowski wants it to stay on the feet.
Rugowski throws a head kick that misses.

Ghotha shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rugowski manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rugowski will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ghotha content to stall in guard here.
Rugowski is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Ghotha throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghotha trying to control the position from guard on top but Rugowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ghoul Ghotha was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rugowski but Rugowski pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ghotha tries for a takedown but Rugowski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bubba Rugowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Ghotha takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ghotha fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rugowski fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ghotha looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rugowski is fending him off so far but Ghotha persists. Nope, Rugowski circles away and we're back to standing.
Rugowski paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rugowski throws a head kick but Ghotha moves out of range.
Rugowski tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ghotha paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rugowski throws out a loose jab but Ghotha uses good head movement to avoid it.

Rugowski has Ghotha up against the cage in a clinch.
Rugowski lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ghotha backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rugowski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Rugowski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rugowski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ghotha takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rugowski really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Rugowski gets a clinch.
Rugowski lands a shoulder strike.
Rugowski lands a left hand.
Rugowski gets underhooks to prevent Ghotha's takedown attempt.
Rugowski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Rugowski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A cross from Ghotha lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha avoids the head kick by Rugowski.
Ghotha scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ghotha throws a jab but it's blocked by Rugowski.
Rugowski misses with a two punch combination.
Rugowski misses with a head kick.
Ghotha throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd cheers as Rugowski lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ghotha doesn't seem phased though.

Ghotha looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ghotha seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rugowski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ghotha looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ghotha missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rugowski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ghotha trying to control the action but Rugowski is working from the bottom.
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!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ghotha in particular looking to stall.
Rugowski is looking to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ghotha throwing shots but Rugowski is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bubba Rugowski dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A lazy left from Rugowski finds it's target.
Ghoul Ghotha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rugowski throws a head kick but Ghotha moves out of range.

Ghotha scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ghotha trying to control the action but Rugowski is working from the bottom.
Ghotha laying and praying for a moment but Rugowski takes advantage and regains half guard.
Ghotha throws a strike but Rugowski avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Rugowski keeping moving, preventing Ghotha from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghotha throwing strikes but missing.
Ghotha has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rugowski keeping full guard, as Ghotha tries to pass.
Rugowski controls Ghotha momentarily but Ghotha frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rugowski wants to sweep here but Ghotha controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Ghotha goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rugowski has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ghotha but great work by Rugowski.
Ghotha tries to improve position but can't.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rugowski wants to stand but Ghotha has his arm trapped.

Rugowski stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Ghotha swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A head kick misses from Rugowski.
Decent striking displayed by Rugowski there.

Rugowski gets caught napping as Ghotha dives in and scores a takedown. Rugowski manages to retain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rugowski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rugowski wants to control the position but Ghotha says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Rugowski is trying to control but can't.
Ghotha lands strikes from half guard.
Ghotha missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rugowski trying to hold on to Ghotha's head to control him but Ghotha postures up.
Ghotha sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rugowski defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha controlling the action here.
Ghotha lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ghotha trying to control the action but Rugowski is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ghotha slips a nice elbow through Rugowski's hands, connecting with Rugowski's forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghoul Ghotha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rugowski gets caught flat footed, as Ghotha shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ghotha trying to control the position from guard on top but Rugowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ghotha postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rugowski looking for a sweep. Not yet Rugowski, not yet.
Ghotha wants to control from the top but Rugowski keeps moving.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ghoul Ghotha hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Rugowski throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ghotha's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rugowski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rugowski lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rugowski misses the jab.
Ghotha has a takedown stuffed.
Ghotha throws a jab when Rugowski was well out of range.
Rugowski throws a front kick that sends Ghotha stumbling back into the cage.
Rugowski throws a jab but it's blocked by Ghotha.
Rugowski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rugowski wants it to stay on the feet.

Rugowski rushes Ghotha and presses him up against the cage.
Ghotha drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rugowski pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bubba Rugowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Ghotha takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rugowski tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ghotha manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ghotha fails with the takedown.
Bubba Rugowski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rugowski throws a right hand that Ghotha ducks under and follows up with a left that Ghotha also avoids with ease.
Ghotha avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rugowski misses with a hook.
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!
Rugowski throws a head kick that half lands.
Rugowski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rugowski looks to throw the jab but Ghotha is out of range.
Ghotha slips a jab and a cross from Rugowski.
Ghotha fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rugowski manages to avoid it.
Rugowski uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Rugowski gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ghotha to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ghotha throwing strikes from guard but Rugowski blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ghotha wants to control from the top but Rugowski keeps moving.
Ghotha won't allow Rugowski to sweep him here.
Ghotha trying to control the position from guard on top but Rugowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha throwing strikes from guard but Rugowski blocks nicely.
Rugowski wants to control but Ghotha passes easily into half guard.
Ghotha thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rugowski's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rugowski is refusing to be controlled, as Ghotha sits in half guard.

Ghotha is trying to work for a kimura but Rugowski is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bubba Rugowski clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ghotha changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rugowski tries to avoid it but Ghotha manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rugowski to the ground. Rugowski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rugowski lands a nice shot to the body.

Rugowski closes the distance and clinches.

Rugowski manages to break the clinch.
Ghotha misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rugowski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ghotha takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Rugowski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rugowski is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Nice uppercut lands for Rugowski. That snapped Ghotha's head back.
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!
Rugowski 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.
Ghotha closes the distance and clinches up with Rugowski, looking for a takedown. Ghotha pushes Rugowski against the cage but Rugowski circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bubba Rugowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rugowski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ghotha changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rugowski tries to avoid it but Ghotha manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rugowski to the ground. Rugowski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rugowski is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Rugowski fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ghotha is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rugowski lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ghotha backs up against the cage.
Rugowski scores with a head kick.
Rugowski is looking to clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Rugowski. Those never looked like landing.
Ghotha fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rugowski misses with a two punch combination.
Ghotha fails with a takedown attempt.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rugowski but Rugowski pushes him off and we're back to square one.
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!
Ghotha misses with a lunging right hand
and Rugowski counters with a big head kick but Ghotha shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ghotha fails to land the takedown.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown but Rugowski shows good takedown defense.
Ghotha on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rugowski throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bubba Rugowski is winning the standup battle so far.
Rugowski plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A head kick misses from Rugowski.

Rugowski lands a big head kick that sends Ghotha tumbling to the mat! Rugowski takes a step backwards and waves Ghotha back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Ghotha is rocked!
Rugowski tries to clinch up.
Ghotha shoots in looking for a takedown but Rugowski manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ghotha's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Rugowski moves into range and clinches up with Ghotha.
Rugowski stops a takedown attempt from Ghotha.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rugowski creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rugowski lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Rugowski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rugowski is looking to clinch.
Rugowski tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ghotha manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rugowski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rugowski tests Ghotha's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rugowski goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Ghotha looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rugowski is fending him off so far but Ghotha persists. Nope, Rugowski circles away and we're back to standing.

Rugowski closes the distance and clinches.
Ghotha drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rugowski gets through Ghotha's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rugowski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rugowski displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ghotha.
Sloppy strikes from Rugowski. Those never looked like landing.
Nice takedown defense from Rugowski. No joy for Ghotha on that attempt.
Rugowski tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rugowski misses with a hook

so Ghotha counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rugowski manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rugowski content just to control the position here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Rugowski is standing up, even though he is in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bubba Rugowski had his way with Ghoul Ghotha in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

The fighters circle momentarily. Rugowski darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rugowski misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rugowski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ghotha.

Ghotha shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Ghotha was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ghotha wants to control the action but instead Rugowski gets a body lock and reverses into Ghotha's guard! Nice work!
Rugowski passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Ghotha tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rugowski wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Rugowski stands up and beckons Ghotha to his feet.
No joy there for Rugowski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghotha drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Rugowski throws a head kick but Ghotha moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Rugowski.
Rugowski swings away with a body shot that misses

and Ghotha counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
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.
Ghotha working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Rugowski's thigh. Rugowski counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Ghotha landing some decent shots from guard.
Rugowski keeping moving, preventing Ghotha from controlling successfully.
Ghoul Ghotha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rugowski 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.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ghotha trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ghotha wants to control from the top but Rugowski keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ghoul Ghotha wasn't active enough on the ground.
Nice body kick from Rugowski.
Rugowski swings for the body but Ghotha moves out of range.
Rugowski scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Ghotha changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rugowski looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ghotha trying to control the action but Rugowski is working from the bottom.
The ground and pound from Ghotha seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Ghotha throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Ghotha crashes against the mat.
Rugowski is looking for a sweep.

Ghotha looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ghotha trying to control the action but Rugowski is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ghotha misses with the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ghoul Ghotha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rugowski has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 48:47
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bubba Rugowski!
A very excited looking Bubba Rugowski made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.