PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Skull Crash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gim Ruut (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruut has chosen Taree - Soundgarden as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Gim Ruut told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Crash
vs
Ruut

166 cm
28
145 lbs
12 - 9 - 2

173 cm
29
149 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 2, fighting out of New York, Skull Crash!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gim Ruut!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A solid leg kick lands there for Crash.
Crash fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ruut tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Crash paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ruut tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Crash manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Ruut 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.
Crash leaves Ruut with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A bone on bone clash there as Ruut blocks the leg kick.

Ruut moves into the clinch.
Ruut tries to pull guard but Crash holds him up against the cage and eventually Ruut drops back down to his feet.

Ruut successfully pulls guard.
Crash slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Crash has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Skull Crash has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Ruut closes the distance and pushes Crash back into the cage.
Crash lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Crash tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ruut's elbow.
Ruut is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Crash to keep the fight standing.
Skull Crash has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gim Ruut.
Crash is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ruut is keeping busy.
Ruut has Crash pushed against the cage.
Ruut is looking to take this one to the mat.
Crash is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Crash prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crash can't find room to land a body shot as Ruut controls the action.
Ruut fails to pull guard.
Crash lands a nice uppercut.
Ruut tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ruut tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ruut.
Crash lands a body punch.
Ruut goes for a takedown attempt but Crash pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Crash connects with an inside leg kick.
Ruut shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Crash as he avoids it easily.
Crash throws a head kick but Ruut moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruut blocks a low kick nicely.
Crash ducks right into an uppercut from Ruut.
Skull Crash is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ruut thows a body shot but no joy.
Crash throws a quick inside leg kick.

Ruut drives through with a takedown into Crash's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Crash wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ruut won't allow Crash to sweep him here.
Crash managing to control the position.
Ruut throws a big elbow that misses.
Ruut tries to free his leg and advance position but Crash is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruut postures up in Crash's guard and throws a big left but Crash blocks it.
Ruut has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Crash looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ruut is one step ahead there.
Crash being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ruut missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ruut looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Crash has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ruut throws a big right hand that misses.
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 Skull Crash will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Crash circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Crash - that will leave a mark!
Crash throws a head kick but Ruut moves out of range.
Ruut is looking to clinch but Crash is avoiding it.
Ruut blocks the body kick.
Ruut connects with a single shot there.
Crash lands a right hook to the body.
Crash tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ruut stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Crash.
Ruut tries to clinch up.
Ruut ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Crash moves away.
Jab, jab by Ruut - just one landing.
Crash throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruut takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ruut checks a low kick from Crash.
Ruut checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ruut lands an overhand right.
Skull Crash seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crash is looking to slow Ruut down with leg kicks.
Crash throws a body kick that misses.
A low kick from Crash misses

and Ruut counters by clinching up.
Crash misses with a punch to the body.
Ruut is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ruut tries to pull guard but Crash forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Crash just leaning against Ruut, taking a breather.
Crash tries a body shot but Ruut blocks it.
Ruut lands an uppercut.
Crash tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ruut's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crash struggles to land a body shot inside as Ruut controls his hands.
Ruut jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Crash walks away with a smile on his face. Ruut gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Skull Crash has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gim Ruut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A chopping leg kick lands by Crash.
Crash throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Ruut drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Crash is trying to get back to half guard.

Ruut is trying to get an arm triangle but Crash is defending well.
Ruut working away.

Ruut tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ruut has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ruut tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Ruut wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Crash, who protects the arm well.

Ruut tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ruut has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ruut swings around for an armbar but Crash sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ruut's guard.
Crash pushes down on Ruut's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ruut tries to roll over but Crash keeps him under control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Crash seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ruut does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
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 Skull Crash will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Crash throws a head kick that misses.
Ruut throws a right hand that misses
and Crash counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Ruut is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Ruut has taken the fight to the clinch.
Crash throws a punch but it's blocked by Ruut.
Ruut is trying to pull guard but Crash has him pressed against the cage.
Ruut is trying to pull guard but Crash turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ruut tries to pull guard but Crash won't allow it.
Skull Crash has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gim Ruut.
Crash struggles to land a body shot inside as Ruut controls his hands.
Ruut is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ruut tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Crash just stands there and leans against the cage.
Crash prevents a takedown attempt there.
Crash misses with a body punch.
Crash struggles to land a body shot inside as Ruut controls his hands.
Crash wants to stall.
Crash can't find room to land a body shot as Ruut controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ruut tries for a takedown but Crash manages to get underhooks.
Ruut tries to pull guard but Crash forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Ruut drags the fight down to the ground.
Crash wants to control from the top but Ruut keeps moving.

Ruut is looking for a triangle but Crash pushes his legs off easily.
Crash looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crash is working hard here to advance position.

Skull Crash has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ruut throws a shot from downtown. Crash moves away and avoids it.
Ruut has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ruut shoots in looking for a takedown but Crash manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ruut's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Crash is looking to chop away at Ruut's legs.
We've been told by Crash's head coaches at Brotherhood Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Crash buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Crash misses with a low kick.
Crunch! Crash slams his shin into Ruut's torso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crash looks to land a body kick but Ruut moved away.
Crash throws a series of punches but Ruut avoids them all with ease.
Ruut moves out of range of the body kick.
Ruut checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ruut thows a left - swing and a miss!
Crash takes a swing at Ruut's ribcage but misses.
Ruut's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ruut is defended easily by Crash.
Crash lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ruut throws a hook but Crash blocks it.
Ruut goes for a double leg but Crash avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Crash continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crash gets underhooks to prevent Ruut's takedown attempt.
Ruut takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Crash can't find room to land a body shot as Ruut controls the action.
Crash's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Ruut misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gim Ruut has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Crash tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ruut's elbow.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Crash takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Crash doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Skull Crash is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ruut is trying to pull guard but Crash turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruut tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ruut jumps guard but Crash stands there with Ruut around his waist. Ruut gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Crash is leaning against Ruut and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Skull Crash showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Crash, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Skull Crash!
A relieved looking Skull Crash thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Gim Ruut was interviewed post fight and said 'Disappointing, but maybe it's time for me to think twice before fighting again... I had a great career, but I can't seem to get back to my spot amongst the best of the world.'.