PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rusty Nales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cus Tomato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Nales
vs
Tomato

175 cm
22
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
20
175 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rusty Nales!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cus Tomato!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Bruno Lombardi and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tomato just misses with a punch to the body.
Tomato displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nales.
Nales shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tomato as he avoids it easily.
Tomato connects with the punch.
Tomato pushes Nales away with a front kick.
Nales avoids a kick to the body.
Tomato walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nales checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nales checks a leg kick.

Nales shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Nales was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Nales misses with the ground and pound.
Nales creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Tomato can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Nales lands an elbow.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tomato can do anything to dispel that myth.
Nales throws a strike aimed at the side of Tomato's head but Tomato avoids it well.
Nales looks up at the clock and then as Tomato takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Nales smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Nales is looking to take a break and control but Tomato is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tomato looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nales has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nales working the ground and pound.
We've been hearing that Nales has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tomato can't do much from the bottom here.

Nales stands up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nales dives in and grabs Tomato's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tomato pushes down on Nales's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rusty Nales. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nales throws a series of punches but Tomato moves out of range.
Tomato throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nales moves in looking to clinch but Tomato pushes him off.
Tomato throws a body punch but Nales moves out of range.
Nales throws a right and a left that Tomato avoids nicely.
Tomato looks to land a body kick but Nales moved away.
Nales takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tomato thows a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nales lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tomato backs up against the cage.

It looks like Cus Tomato has been cut.

Tomato gets tackled into the cage by Nales. Nales maintains the clinch.
Nales drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tomato gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Nales pulls guard effortlessly.
Tomato trying to control but Nales is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nales looking to control.

Nales kicks Tomato off and gets to his feet.
Nales misses the shot to the body.
Tomato misses with a low kick.
Nales lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nales takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nales fails to land with a series of punches.
Nales is looking to clinch.
Tomato scores with a leg kick.
Tomato tries to score with a low kick but Nales moves his leg out of the way.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nales tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tomato defends well and Nales ends up having to push Tomato into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nales working hard to break the clinch.
Tomato stalling in the clinch but Nales improves position.

Nales decides to pull guard.
Tomato pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nales is keeping the position for now.
Tomato wants to control from the top but Nales keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nales 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tomato trying to control but Nales is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rusty Nales dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cus Tomato's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nice sprawl there from Tomato as Nales shoots in.
Tomato throws a solid leg kick but Nales takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tomato.
Tomato avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rusty Nales seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tomato throws a sloppy head kick and Nales moves out of range easily.

Nales gets a double leg takedown into Tomato's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tomato looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tomato working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nales.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nales accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nales tries to stand but Tomato is controlling from the bottom.

Tomato looking for a guillotine here but Nales defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nales throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nales stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tomato swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nales postures up in Tomato's guard and throws a big left but Tomato blocks it.

Nales decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tomato, up you get!

Tomato tries to sprawl but Nales drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Rusty Nales overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Nales decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Nales fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nales moves into the clinch.
Tomato misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nales.

Nales breaks from the clinch.
That kick from Tomato tenderised Nales's leg. Nales is trying to keep his angry face on.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nales fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tomato circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tomato throws a hook but Nales blocks it.
Tomato avoids a punch combination nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nales looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nales tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tomato defends well and Nales ends up having to push Tomato into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rusty Nales. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tomato prevents Nales from breaking the clinch.
Nales is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tomato taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Nales has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tomato uses from the top position.
Nales wants to sweep here but Tomato controlling him for the moment.
Tomato looking to pass the guard.
Nales looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tomato is one step ahead there.
Tomato trying to stand up but can't free himself from Nales's guard.
Tomato wants to pass the guard but Nales is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tomato won't allow Nales to sweep him here.
Tomato in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tomato not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Nales looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nales looks to land a combination but Tomato avoids it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A jab from Tomato misses.
Tomato looks to score with a jab to the body but Nales is just out of range.
Nales shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tomato but Tomato pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nales gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Tomato.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rusty Nales dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Cus Tomato's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nales takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nales throws a looping overhand right but Tomato ducks down to avoid it.
Nales tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Jab, jab by Tomato - just one landing.
Nales uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tomato.
Tomato throws a front kick that sends Nales stumbling back into the cage.
Nales blocks a head kick by Tomato.
Nales slips a straight right by Tomato.
Tomato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nales was well out of range. Poor timing from Tomato.
Nales checks a leg kick.
Nales misses with a combination
and Tomato counters with a series of strikes. Nales will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good leg kick by Tomato there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nales missing with a left hand there. Tomato was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nales looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tomato misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nales throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Tomato counters with a head kick. That will keep Nales thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rusty Nales is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tomato fakes the leg kick and cracks Nales in the body.

Nales shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tomato is trying to defend but Nales finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nales is keen to just control but Tomato is a slippery customer.
Nales wants to stand up but Tomato is controlling the position.
Nales with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Nales wants to control but Tomato is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rusty Nales wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Tomato swats away the attempt to clinch by Nales.
An inside leg kick from Tomato misses.
Nales tries to clinch up.
Nales misses with a takedown attempt - Tomato sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nales tries to clinch but Tomato is having none of it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nales tries to clinch up but Tomato circles away and keeps his distance.
A good leg kick by Tomato.
Nales shoots in for a takedown but Tomato shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rusty Nales. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nales shoots for a takedown but Tomato saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cus Tomato seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tomato throws a leg kick but Nales sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tomato scores with a nice right hand.
Nales slips a jab and a cross from Tomato.
Tomato attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tomato throws a chopping leg kick but Nales manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nales wants to clinch.
Nales tries to close the distance and clinch but Tomato swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cus Tomato is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nales chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tomato can pounce on him.

Nales closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Tomato breaks from the clinch.
Tomato connects with a solid leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Nales.

Nales has Tomato up against the cage in a clinch.
Nales tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tomato just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tomato trying to land knees to the body.
Nales looking to throw knees to the head but Tomato is blocking nicely.

Nales gets control of Tomato's arms and successfully pulls guard. Nales will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Nales is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nales keeping moving, preventing Tomato from controlling successfully.
Tomato must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tomato's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Cus Tomato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Tomato wants to control from the top but Nales keeps moving.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cus Tomato was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Nales fails with the takedown.
Tomato fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nales has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nales moves out of range as Tomato strikes.
Nales throws a series of punches but Tomato moves out of range.
Nales avoids the body shot from Tomato.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cus Tomato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nales 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 John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rusty Nales!