PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Richard Nixon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taz Rutten (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nixon comes to the cage accompanied by The Upsetters - Dread Lion. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Nixon
vs
Rutten

170 cm
32
174 lbs
28 - 9 - 0

182 cm
31
171 lbs
26 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

Conquer
Convicted Trap House

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 28 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Richard Nixon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Taz Rutten!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rutten feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Nixon's calf.
Nixon scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nixon is looking to slow Rutten down with leg kicks.
Rutten tries to clinch up but Nixon circles away and keeps his distance.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Rutten has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Nixon attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A lazy left from Rutten finds it's target.
Rutten moves out of range of the body kick.
Rutten throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nixon just misses with a punch to the body.
Nixon on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nixon.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rutten tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nixon was well out of range. Poor timing from Rutten.
Nixon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rutten gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rutten moves out of range of the body kick.
Rutten throws out a leg kick but Nixon moves out of range and Rutten only half commits.
Nixon swings for the body but Rutten moves out of range.
Nice cross by Rutten.
Rutten fakes the leg kick and cracks Nixon in the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rutten.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nixon attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rutten connects with a nice looking jab.
Nixon throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Rutten counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rutten.
Rutten tries to work over Nixon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hand to the body from Rutten.
Nixon lands a right hand.
Rutten scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rutten tries to pull guard but Nixon forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rutten.
Rutten digs a right hand into Nixon's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nixon's gas tank.
A short right from Nixon on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rutten swings wildly with an uppercut but Nixon uses good head movement to avoid it.
I was talking to Nixon's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Nixon misses with some punches.
Nixon tries to work over Rutten's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rutten misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rutten misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rutten doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutten misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rutten is trying to break the clinch but Nixon is controlling him.
A short left from Rutten.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nixon.
Nixon misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nixon.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rutten.
Nixon lands with a left to the head.
Nixon throws a punch but it's blocked by Rutten.
Rutten can't find room to land a body shot as Nixon controls the action.
Rutten lands with a left to the head.
Rutten lands a left hand.
Rutten working aggressively here.
Rutten tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nixon avoids it.
Nixon has a couple of punches blocked by Rutten.
Rutten blocks an uppercut.
Rutten throws a punch but it's blocked by Nixon.
Nixon lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rutten.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutten will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Nixon up against the cage.
Rutten goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nixon scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nixon softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nixon misses with the head strike.
Nixon swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutten uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nixon has a couple of punches blocked by Rutten.
Rutten prevents a body shot from Nixon.
Nixon lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rutten backwards.
Rutten doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nixon.
Rutten scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nixon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rutten lands a shot to the body.
Rutten scores with a shot to the side of Nixon's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nixon managing to block the knees to the body from Rutten.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nixon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nixon.
Nixon prevents a body shot from Rutten.
Rutten lands with a light punch inside.
Rutten tries to break free but Nixon pushes him back against the cage.
Nixon lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nixon cracks Rutten with a nice body shot.
Nixon lands a shot to the body.
Still in the clinch, Nixon scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nixon misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rutten tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nixon swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutten uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Still in the clinch, Nixon scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rutten using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nixon has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rutten has a couple of punches blocked by Nixon.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nixon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nixon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Taz Rutten will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rutten loads up on a big right hand but Nixon slips the punch.
Taz Rutten seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rutten is looking to clinch but Nixon is avoiding it.
Nixon throws a nice looking combination but Rutten bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nixon takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rutten fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nixon manages to avoid it.
Rutten pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Rutten gets a clinch.
Nixon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rutten blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nixon blocks a body shot from Rutten.
Nixon misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nixon throws a head punch that misses.
Nixon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rutten throws a punch but it's blocked by Nixon.
Rutten fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Nixon.

Rutten pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nixon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nixon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rutten.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutten takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rutten tries a head kick but it misses.
Nixon throws a nice outside leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rutten.
Nixon scores with a body shot.
Rutten throws a hook but Nixon avoids it easily.
Nixon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rutten.
Rutten works the jab nicely.
A cross from Nixon lands.
Nixon keeps Rutten at a distance using the push kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nixon throws a leg kick but Rutten moved away.
Nixon misses with a body shot.
Nixon throws a wild body kick that Rutten sees coming a mile off.
Nixon bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rutten's head backwards.
Rutten misses with a body kick.
Rutten uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nixon.
Rutten tries to work over Nixon's front leg with a kick but Nixon checks it.
Nixon blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutten checks a leg kick nicely.
Nixon works Rutten's body with a nice hook.

Rutten closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rutten lands in his opponent'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.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Nixon wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rutten is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rutten has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rutten accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nixon is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nixon tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutten tries to get to full guard but Nixon has control of the leg.

Nixon decides to return to a standing position.
Rutten throws a head kick that misses.
Rutten misses with a low kick.
A jab from Nixon does it's job there.
Taz Rutten seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nixon takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nixon connects with a body shot that sends Rutten's belly button to the back.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rutten, right into the meat.
Nixon smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nixon is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rutten.
Nixon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rutten was well out of range. Poor timing from Nixon.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nixon connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nixon chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rutten can pounce on him.
Nixon connects with the punch.
Rutten lands a jab to Nixon's midsection.
Rutten connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nixon lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rutten at a distance.
Rutten bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nixon throws a body punch but Rutten moves out of range.
Nixon cracks a nice hook into Rutten's ribs.
Nixon moves out of range of the body kick from Rutten.
Rutten has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Nixon.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rutten tries a low kick but Nixon avoids it.
Rutten throws a jab but it's blocked by Nixon.
Rutten lands a front kick.
Rutten scores with a push kick.
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 Richard Nixon will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Nixon.
Nixon thuds a left hand into Rutten's body.
Rutten connects with a leg kick. Nixon looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rutten takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nixon on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rutten fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nixon manages to avoid it.
Nixon connects with an inside leg kick.
Nixon scoring well with a low kick there.
Rutten dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nixon. That did some damage!
Nixon with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rutten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nixon moves away.
Nixon is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nixon swings for the body but Rutten moves out of range.
Nixon misses the shot to the body.
Nixon lands a nice hook to Rutten's body. Rutten takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rutten scores with a leg kick.
Nixon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice cross by Rutten.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutten chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rutten throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nixon takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rutten swings for the body but Nixon moves out of range.
Nixon scores with a jab to the head.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rutten, right into the meat.
Nixon loads up on a big right hand but Rutten slips the punch.
Nixon takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rutten misses with a body kick.
Good shot there by Nixon.
Rutten finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nixon throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rutten swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nixon.
Rutten cracks Nixon with a right hand to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rutten misses with a wild body shot.
Rutten misses with a leg kick.
Rutten shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutten cracks Nixon with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rutten with a nice cross.
Nixon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rutten manages to avoid it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Nixon.
Rutten takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nixon scores with a jab to the body.
Nixon blocks a head kick by Rutten.
Rutten lands a really nice looking cross but Nixon seems unphased.
Nixon throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nixon lands a nice looking kick to the body. Rutten takes a step back to recover.
Nixon scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rutten tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nixon was well out of range. Poor timing from Rutten.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nixon.
Nixon lands an overhand right.
Nixon cracks Rutten with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nixon.
Rutten throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nixon sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Rutten.
Nixon tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rutten is able to avoid easily.
Nixon is looking to wear down Rutten with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Nixon misses the shot to the body.
Rutten with a nice cross.
Rutten fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nixon is out of range.
Rutten throws a head kick that misses.
Rutten delivers a nice body kick.
Rutten uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nixon.
Rutten is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Rutten takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rutten checks a leg kick.
Rutten is looking to land body kicks.
Rutten has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Rutten fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nixon checks it well.
Rutten takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nixon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rutten's calf.
Nixon tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nixon swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nixon moves out of range of the strikes.
Nixon misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nixon. Rutten does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rutten fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nixon lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nixon sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Rutten uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nixon.
Rutten scores with a jab to the body.
Rutten on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rutten slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nixon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rutten moves away.
Nixon scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nixon looks to score with a jab to the body but Rutten is just out of range.
Rutten misses with a body shot.
Rutten tries to clinch there but Nixon circles away.
Nixon scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

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 Richard Nixon.
I think Nixon 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Richard Nixon!
Richard Nixon decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.