PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Toddy Ruch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brock Cormier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Cormier's choice of entrance music: Smilin' Faces - Krizz Kaliko. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Ruch
vs
Cormier

185 cm
22
176 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
179 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Sparta Fightware

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Toddy Ruch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brock Cormier!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Vladimir Khabensky and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cormier closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ruch's guard.
Cormier seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ruch keeping full guard, as Cormier tries to pass.
Cormier trying to control the position from guard on top but Ruch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ruch looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Ruch is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cormier content to stall in guard here.
Ruch definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Cormier pushing down on Ruch's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cormier works his foot free and advances to mount.
Cormier trying to control but Ruch is having none of it.
Ruch is looking to improve his position but Cormier isn't that keen on the idea.
Cormier trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Ruch looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Ruch is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cormier doesn't have the hooks in and Ruch manages to turn into his guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Cormier pulls Ruch in to control the position.

Cormier is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ruch controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Cormier 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.

Cormier is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ruch defends well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ruch advances to half guard.
Ruch is pressing down on Cormier's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cormier is holding on for now.
Cormier wants to control but Ruch is keeping busy.
Ruch takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cormier wants to improve his position but Ruch is controlling well.
Cormier is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ruch jumps into side control!
Cormier tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ruch wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Cormier looks winded!
Cormier gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Cormier tries to roll over but Ruch keeps him under control.
Cormier has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at ACME! Thai Boxing Academy 13 ELITE COACHES & SAUNA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Ruch uses his free foot to push down on Cormier's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Cormier.
Cormier is trying to escape the mount.
Cormier tries to hold on but Ruch postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cormier is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ruch fails to advance to Cormier's back.
Ruch sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Cormier tries to improve his position but instead Ruch has taken his back!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cormier won't enjoy being in this position. Ruch looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Cormier is tapping - it's over boys! Ruch picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Toddy Ruch!
The defeated Brock Cormier had this to say: 'He was a tough opponent, a former champion, but i never turn down fights and i only want to fight the best!!'.