PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Russ Rutger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cole River (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rutger comes to the cage accompanied by Hall & Oates - Out of Touch. River has chosen Creedence Clearwater Revival - Born On The Bayou as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rutger
vs
River

172 cm
36
175 lbs
37 - 15 - 1

188 cm
29
175 lbs
27 - 3 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition
Heisenberg

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Russ Rutger!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Cole River!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from River.
River lands with a good body shot.
Rutger takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rutger misses with a left hand

and River holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
River avoids the elbow strike from Rutger, against the cage.
Rutger tries a body shot but River blocks it.
Rutger misses with a shot to the kidneys.
River looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rutger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rutger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but River has him pressed against the cage.

Rutger gets control of River's arms and successfully pulls guard. Rutger will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
River slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Rutger is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rutger seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Rutger keeping moving, preventing River from controlling successfully.
River controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Cole River wasn't active enough on the ground.
River thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice body punch from Rutger.
River throws an overhand right that lands on Rutger's shoulder, as Rutger tries to avoid the shot.
A big left from Rutger misses.
Rutger connects with a body shot.
River moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A jab from River misses.
River thumps Rutger with a low kick.
River wants to clinch.
Rutger throws a chopping leg kick but River manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Rutger tenderised River's leg. River is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rutger tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and River is able to avoid easily.
The crowd cheers as Rutger lands an impressive looking overhand right. River doesn't seem phased though.
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 cracks River with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
River lunges at Rutger with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rutger's hand.
River connects with a solid leg kick.
Rutger lands a nice shot that snaps River's head back.
Rutger misses with a low kick.
Rutger takes one to the chin there.
Horrible takedown by Rutger or perhaps it was just good defense by River which made him look bad.

Rutger fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. River sprawls well initially but Rutger persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
River holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
River is looking for a sweep. Rutger is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rutger throwing shots but River is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutger sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. River defending well though.
Rutger missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rutger sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. River defending well though.
River has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rutger is working away from the top position though.

Rutger is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, River has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rutger trying to control from half guard but River is working away.
Rutger not landing any meaningful shots this time.
River regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Rutger.
Rutger throws a big elbow that misses.
Rutger stands up over River, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
River utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
River wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River keeping moving, preventing Rutger from controlling successfully.
Rutger throwing strikes but missing.
River preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rutger with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rutger throws a big elbow that misses.
River is adopting a defensive guard.
River trying to keep a closed guard but Rutger is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
River tries to land a sweep but no joy.
River is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Cole River has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Rutger scores with a decent looking hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russ Rutger dominated that round.
That's time! Rutger's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

River connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rutger momentarily.
Rutger lands a leg kick that knocks River off balance momentarily.
Rutger moves out of range as River strikes.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from River, right into the meat.
Rutger scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
River scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rutger doesn't seem bothered though.
Russ Rutger is winning the standup battle so far.
River fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A leg kick checked by River.
River throws a shot to the body.
Rutger throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rutger throws an off balance right hand
and River counters with a nice body shot.
Rutger misses with an uppercut

and River holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rutger tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
River throws an elbow that misses.
Rutger blocking some punches.
Rutger working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutger digs a right hand into River's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on River's gas tank.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, River creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

River manages to break the clinch.
A lazy left from River finds it's target.
Nice shot by River.
River throws a shot from downtown. Rutger moves away and avoids it.
River throws a nice inside leg kick.
River tries to land a leg kick but Rutger saw it coming and moves away.
Rutger bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of River's head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rutger is defended easily by River.

Rutger gets a double leg takedown into River's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
River working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
River is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutger with a nice head shot there.
Rutger stands up over River, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
River trying to keep a closed guard but Rutger is proving a slippery customer.
Rutger working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
River looking for a sweep. Not yet River, not yet.
Rutger wants to pass the guard but River is keeping the position.
River pulls Rutger in close to prevent any damage.
River not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cole River was stalling too much, according to the referee.
River is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from River misses the target.
Rutger misses with a left hand

and River counters by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutger throws a punch but it's blocked by River.
River working aggressively here.
Rutger lands with a short shot to the head.
Rutger throws an elbow but it misses.
Rutger lands a nice uppercut.
River throws an elbow that misses.
Rutger lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
River has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
River goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rutger tries to throw a body punch but River avoids it by throwing Rutger back against the cage.
A short right from River.
Rutger tries a body shot but River blocks it.
Rutger tries a body shot but River blocks it.
Rutger throws an elbow but it's blocked.
River misses with a punch on the inside.
Rutger prevents a body shot from River.
A short right from Rutger on the inside.
River trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River misses with a hook to the ribs.
River will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rutger up against the cage.
River lands with a short shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rutger working aggressively here.
River landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rutger lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rutger jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as River walks away with a smile on his face. Rutger gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rutger throws a leg kick but River moved away.
River throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
River misses with a low kick as Rutger jumps back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rutger checks a leg kick.
Rutger shoots in for a takedown but River shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Russ Rutger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rutger pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
River throws a series of punches but Rutger moves out of range.
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 Russ Rutger 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.

Rutger throws a shot from downtown. River moves away and avoids it.
River throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rutger takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
River lands a nice looking body shot.
Rutger misses with a kick to the body.
Rutger looks to land a right hand but River moved out of range.
River throws a lazy head kick

and Rutger counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rutger 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.
River trying to control here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River tries to get to full guard but Rutger has control of the leg.
Rutger scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
River is looking to improve his position.
Rutger throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rutger is looking to advance position but River won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutger thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed River's head.
Rutger trying to pass the guard but River defending well.
Rutger is looking to pass River's guard but actually River recovers to full guard.
Rutger working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
River utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
River trying to control the position.
Rutger landing some decent shots from guard.
River working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rutger.
Rutger content to stall in guard here.
Rutger preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rutger.
Rutger scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rutger working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of River's head.
Rutger wants to control from the top but River keeps moving.
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!
River avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
River tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rutger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rutger preventing the sweep.
River trying to control the position.
Rutger missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
River wants to sweep here but Rutger controlling him for the moment.
River is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cole River was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Rutger throws the left hand but River avoids the punch easily.
Rutger misses with a low kick.
Rutger tries a head kick but it misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Rutger checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rutger throws a head kick but River moves out of range.
Cole River is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
River feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rutger's calf.
Rutger feints and then cracks River's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow River down.
River lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rutger's sensitive parts.
River cracks Rutger with an open hand slap.
Rutger throws a sloppy head kick and River moves out of range easily.
Rutger fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
River feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rutger's calf.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

River moves into the clinch.
Rutger throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rutger misses with the head strike.
Rutger has had enough of the clinch but River keeps him there for the moment.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rutger.
River throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rutger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rutger tries to work over River's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rutger throws a head punch that misses.
Rutger is trying to pull guard but River has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
River tries to work over Rutger's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
River scores with a knee to the head.
River is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A left hand lands to the body for River.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Russ Rutger did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Good leg kick by River there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

River moves into range and clinches up with Rutger.
River lands an elbow that stopped Rutger in his tracks for a moment.
River lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rutger.

Rutger breaks from the clinch.
River will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rutger is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rutger fails to land the takedown.
River ducks under a wild hook from Rutger.
River is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Rutger scores with a body shot.
River turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
River takes a swing at Rutger's ribcage but misses.
Rutger misses the jab.
River pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rutger. That one must have hurt.
River misses the jab.
River cracks the inside of Rutger's front leg.
Good work by River as he checks the leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from River, right into the meat.
Rutger swings for the body but River moves out of range.
Rutger tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice shot by River.
Rutger blocks the body kick.
Rutger moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
River connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rutger fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rutger lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but River circles away quickly and effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutger waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract River.
River tries to bum rush Rutger with a series of wild strikes but Rutger uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
River lands with a nice body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rutger doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
River blocks a leg kick.
River throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rutger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt River.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Rutger crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from River - the referee stops the clock and Rutger gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says River. Rutger manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Rutger takes one to the chin there.
Rutger fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rutger buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from River, right into the meat.
River checks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River jabs Rutger to the body, keeping him at a distance.
River lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rutger's sensitive parts.
Rutger throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A swing and a miss from Rutger.
River throws out a leg kick but Rutger moves out of range and River only half commits.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Rutger is just out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by River.
River stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Russ Rutger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
River checks a leg kick nicely.

Rutger closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. River did well to prevent Rutger getting side control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
River is holding on to half guard well.
River trying to control from the bottom.
River tries to kick Rutger off but Rutger keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutger missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rutger lands a nice short elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rutger thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
River avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rutger.
River blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rutger.
Russ Rutger overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rutger prevents River from improving his position.
Rutger lands with a punch from half guard.
River is pressing down on Rutger's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
River looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rutger is looking to work some ground and pound but River has wrist control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
River is looking to stand up but Rutger isn't so interested in that idea.
River working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rutger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole River dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

River scores with a kick to the midsection.
River tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rutger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
River lands a really nice looking cross but Rutger seems unphased.
Rutger tried to score with a low kick but River checks it.
River lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rutger avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
River scores with a nice strike.
River stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
River uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rutger.
Rutger thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rutger throws a jab when River was well out of range.
Rutger connects with a solid leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from River, right into the meat.
River looks to land a body kick but Rutger moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River misses with a head kick.
Rutger misses with a hook.
River blocks the body kick.
River slips a jab and a cross from Rutger.
River lands a head shot.
River tries to work over Rutger's front leg with a kick but Rutger checks it.
River misses with a body kick.
Rutger with a nice cross.
River throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rutger on the side of the head.
Rutger connects with a right hand. River shakes it off.
Rutger misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River.
River fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rutger.
Rutger lands a lovely overhand right.
Rutger has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rutger.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rutger takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
River lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rutger shoots in for a double leg but River sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
River is looking to clinch but Rutger is avoiding it.
Rutger throws a right hand that River ducks under and follows up with a left that River also avoids with ease.
River misses with a kick to the body.
River bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
An inside leg kick lands from River.
Rutger takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
River lands a jab to the head.
River connects with a single shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutger misses with a low kick.
River turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
River fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rutger.
River thumps Rutger with a low kick.
River bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
River throws a low kick but Rutger moves out of range easily.
River tries to clinch but Rutger moves out of range.
Cole River has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rutger fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
River fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
River thumps Rutger with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Rutger.
River defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rutger.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Russ Rutger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
River misses with a hook to the body

and Rutger counters with a nice double leg into side control. River won't be happy with that.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rutger sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but River is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
River manages to get back to half guard.
River wants to control but Rutger is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rutger drops an elbow to the side of River's head.
Rutger throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rutger works his way into side control.
Rutger working away.
River sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
River misses with some strikes from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
River is looking to improve his position.
River avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rutger.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rutger seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but River does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Cole River.
I think Rutger 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Russ Rutger!
Russ Rutger retains his welterweight title!
Russ Rutger bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.