PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Russ Rutger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Tunjic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Rutger might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Prince Ital Joe feat. Marky Mark - United. The crowd seem to be enjoying Tunjic's choice of entrance music: More then a Feeling. Russ Rutger could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ivan Tunjic's chin.

Rutger
vs
Tunjic

172 cm
31
175 lbs
21 - 8 - 1

177 cm
28
183 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Hardcore Nutrition

Convicted Trap House
Conviction

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 21 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Russ Rutger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ivan Tunjic!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Phil Schofield and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rutger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tunjic. That did some damage!
Tunjic looks to land a body kick but Rutger moved away.
A big right from Rutger misses.
Tunjic throws a low kick but Rutger avoids it.
Rutger cracks Tunjic with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tunjic shoots and misses
and Rutger counters with a low kick, right behind Tunjic 's knee.
Some bone on bone action there as Rutger checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Rutger shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rutger was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Tunjic is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rutger's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Tunjic has hold of Rutger's hands but Rutger slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
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!
Tunjic is pressing down on Rutger's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rutger stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tunjic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tunjic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rutger trying to control but Tunjic is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rutger stopping the sweep attempt from Tunjic.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rutger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tunjic working a defensive guard here.
Rutger trying to control the position from guard on top but Tunjic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tunjic trying to keep a closed guard but Rutger is proving a slippery customer.
Tunjic is adopting a defensive guard.
Rutger trying to control the position from guard on top but Tunjic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rutger has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tunjic ducks under a wild hook from Rutger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rutger throws out a powerful jab.
Rutger scores with a head kick.
Rutger is looking to score with low kicks.
Rutger is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rutger lands a jab to the nose.
Rutger uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tunjic.
A jab from Tunjic misses.
Rutger scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tunjic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tunjic looks to land a left hand but Rutger moved out of range nicely.
Rutger rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tunjic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rutger loads up on a big right hand but Tunjic slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutger is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rutger lands with a kick to the temple. Tunjic shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Good work by Tunjic as he checks the leg kick.
Rutger throws a hook but Tunjic avoids it easily.
Rutger avoids the body shot from Tunjic.
Rutger swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tunjic shoots in for a double leg but Rutger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Russ Rutger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Rutger with that takedown attempt.

Rutger shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tunjic manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rutger throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
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!
Tunjic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rutger throws a big right hand that misses.
Tunjic lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rutger!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic avoids the attempt from Rutger to control.
Tunjic with shots to the head and body - Rutger looks very uncomfortable down there.
Tunjic raining down shots from the mount!
Tunjic with good strikes from the mount here!
Tunjic dominating with strikes here.
Tunjic with shots to the head and body - Rutger looks very uncomfortable down there.
Rutger tries to lock up and control but Tunjic gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rutger really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rutger gets back to 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 Russ Rutger will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tunjic misses with a wild body shot.
Tunjic misses the shot to the body.
Tunjic slaps away a takedown attempt from Rutger, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Tunjic shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rutger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tunjic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rutger works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tunjic not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Tunjic throws a big right hand that misses.
Rutger lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Tunjic!
Tunjic sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Tunjic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tunjic is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rutger preventing the sweep.
Rutger throwing strikes from guard but Tunjic blocks nicely.
Tunjic is trying to control the position but Rutger postures up.
Tunjic keeping moving, preventing Rutger from controlling successfully.
Rutger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tunjic is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Rutger is pushing down on Tunjic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tunjic is fighting to maintain full guard but Rutger has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rutger is trying to control. Tunjic wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rutger working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rutger is looking to take a break and control but Tunjic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutger wants to pass the guard but Tunjic is defending well.
Ivan Tunjic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tunjic is pressing down on Rutger's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rutger stands up over Tunjic, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tunjic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rutger manages to get himself to full guard.
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!
Rutger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rutger manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tunjic manages to get himself to full guard.

Rutger drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tunjic manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rutger has Tunjic in his guard.
Rutger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic pushing down on Rutger's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Rutger avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tunjic.
Tunjic is keen to just control but Rutger is a slippery customer.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tunjic lands a nice short elbow.
Rutger is trying to maintain the position but Tunjic is very close to passing his half guard.
Rutger tries to get to full guard but Tunjic has control of the leg.
Tunjic has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rutger manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tunjic throws a big right hand that misses.
Tunjic forces his way into half guard.
Rutger is looking to control Tunjic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rutger avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic is trying to control. Rutger wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rutger moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tunjic forces his way into half guard.
Rutger is looking to improve his position.
Tunjic is keen to just control but Rutger is a slippery customer.
Rutger avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tunjic.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rutger is trying to control but can't.

Rutger looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rutger looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Tunjic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rutger scores with a decent looking hook.
Tunjic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rutger is out of range and Tunjic settles back down.
Tunjic scores with a body shot.
Tunjic lands a slapping body shot.
Tunjic is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rutger rather than just go for the knockout.
Rutger throws a hook but Tunjic avoids it easily.
Tunjic throws a leg kick but Rutger checks it.
Rutger will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rutger throws a lazy head kick

and Tunjic counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tunjic wants to pass the guard but Rutger is defending well.
Tunjic throwing shots but Rutger is blocking nicely.
Rutger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rutger is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutger is looking to control Tunjic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rutger avoid being mounted?
Tunjic wants to control but Rutger is keeping him busy.
Tunjic working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rutger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rutger trying to control from the bottom.
Tunjic working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tunjic working the head and body with strikes.
Tunjic is looking to advance position but Rutger won't allow it.
Rutger is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic lands strikes from half guard.
Tunjic takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tunjic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Rutger has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Tunjic escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Tunjic!
Rutger takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Tunjic tries to advance to mount but Rutger denies him.
Tunjic works to advance to full mount. Rutger defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Rutger keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Rutger tries to hold on but Tunjic pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Tunjic punishing his opponent with strikes.
Tunjic landing strikes from the mount and Rutger is in trouble!
Tunjic has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rutger's face.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tunjic landing strikes from the mount and Rutger is in trouble!
Tunjic working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Tunjic has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rutger's face.

Rutger is rocked!
Tunjic connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Oh Rutger is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rutger working to try and regain half guard.
Tunjic drops a big elbow. That's hurt Rutger! More shots from Tunjic and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ivan Tunjic!
A very excited looking Ivan Tunjic 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.