PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Alaniz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Ruggiero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alaniz comes to the cage accompanied by DMX - What's My Name? . Ruggiero has chosen Bonobo - The Sicilians as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Charlie Alaniz has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Charlie Alaniz seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Alaniz
vs
Ruggiero

163 cm
26
145 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

170 cm
25
142 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Charlie Alaniz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Benjamin Ruggiero!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, William Gold and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick lands there from Ruggiero.
Alaniz doesn't manage to clinch there - Ruggiero circles away.
Alaniz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ruggiero swats away the attempt to clinch by Alaniz.
Good leg kick by Ruggiero there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Alaniz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ruggiero jabs Alaniz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ruggiero stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Alaniz stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ruggiero.
Alaniz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Alaniz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ruggiero as he jumps to the side.
Alaniz takes one to the chin there.

Ruggiero gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Alaniz misses with a punch to the body.
Our sources have told us that Alaniz has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Alaniz tries to work over Ruggiero's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A body shot lands from Ruggiero.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruggiero lands a knee to the head.

Alaniz manages to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alaniz keeping full guard, as Ruggiero tries to pass.

Alaniz is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ruggiero defends well.
Alaniz keeping moving, preventing Ruggiero from controlling successfully.

Alaniz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ruggiero doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ruggiero manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ruggiero wants to control from the top but Alaniz keeps moving.

Alaniz looking for a guillotine here but Ruggiero defends easily.
Ruggiero trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Alaniz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ruggiero passes Alaniz's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ruggiero prevents Alaniz from improving his position.
Alaniz trying to control but Ruggiero postures up.
Ruggiero is keen to just control but Alaniz is a slippery customer.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ruggiero not doing much here.
Alaniz is looking to control Ruggiero's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Alaniz avoid being mounted?
Ruggiero moves nicely into side control.
Alaniz is not content to let Ruggiero control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alaniz tries to buck Ruggiero off but Ruggiero is having none of it.

Ruggiero is trying to get an arm triangle but Alaniz is defending well.
Alaniz is trying to control Ruggiero's posture but Ruggiero avoids it.
Alaniz sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ruggiero moves into full mount! Alaniz won't be happy about that!
Alaniz is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ruggiero looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Alaniz is looking to improve his position but Ruggiero isn't that keen on the idea.
Alaniz is working hard here to advance position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ruggiero trying to control but Alaniz is having none of it.

Ruggiero is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Alaniz to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Alaniz shrugs it off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alaniz tries to hold on but Ruggiero postures up.
Alaniz is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Benjamin Ruggiero will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ruggiero throws a nice outside leg kick.

Alaniz shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ruggiero's guard.
Ruggiero wants to sweep but no luck.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alaniz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Charlie Alaniz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ruggiero keeping full guard, as Alaniz tries to pass.
Ruggiero manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Ruggiero wants to finish this one by submission but Alaniz is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ruggiero.
Alaniz is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Alaniz wants to hold on but Ruggiero pushes him away.
Alaniz is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero wants to take his opponent's back but Alaniz doesn't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alaniz is looking to get to half guard.

Ruggiero has hold of Alaniz's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Alaniz manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Alaniz bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Alaniz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ruggiero is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Alaniz is controlling him.
Alaniz stands up over Ruggiero, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ruggiero 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alaniz tries to free his leg and advance position but Ruggiero is retaining full guard.
Alaniz content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Alaniz tries to stand but Ruggiero is controlling from the bottom.
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!
Alaniz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ruggiero works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ruggiero working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alaniz.

Ruggiero is looking for a triangle but Alaniz pushes his legs off easily.
Alaniz stopping the sweep attempt from Ruggiero.
Alaniz tries to free his leg and advance position but Ruggiero is retaining full guard.
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.
Ruggiero utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Ruggiero is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Alaniz is aware though and is defending well.
Alaniz with a nice head shot there.

Ruggiero looking for a guillotine here but Alaniz defends easily.
Alaniz postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alaniz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Alaniz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Alaniz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alaniz works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alaniz is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ruggiero is just riding it out for now. Alaniz eventually gives up the hold.
Alaniz looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ruggiero trying to control but Alaniz postures up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ruggiero wants to get back to his feet.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Alaniz lands a nice short elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruggiero is looking for a sweep. Alaniz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Alaniz lands a nice short elbow.
Alaniz is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Alaniz dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Alaniz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Charlie Alaniz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alaniz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Alaniz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ruggiero moves away.
Alaniz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ruggiero makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Alaniz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ruggiero tests Alaniz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ruggiero lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Alaniz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ruggiero swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ruggiero lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ruggiero lands with a good body shot.
Alaniz lands a right hook to the body.
Ruggiero slaps away a takedown attempt from Alaniz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Alaniz takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Alaniz stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ruggiero tries a head kick but it misses.
Ruggiero lands a jab.
Alaniz misses with a takedown attempt - Ruggiero sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charlie Alaniz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ruggiero dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Alaniz. That did some damage!
Alaniz throws a series of punches but Ruggiero moves out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ruggiero.
Ruggiero fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Alaniz on the side of the head.
Alaniz is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ruggiero lands with a slapping head kick.
Ruggiero scores with a leg kick.
Ruggiero lands with a hook. Alaniz tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Alaniz shoots for a takedown but Ruggiero saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ruggiero feints and then cracks Alaniz's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Alaniz down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ruggiero misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alaniz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Alaniz just misses with a punch to the body.
Alaniz closes the distance but Ruggiero moves to the side
letting Ruggiero counter with a right hand.
Alaniz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ruggiero sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Alaniz somewhat.
Ruggiero buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Alaniz throws a looping overhand right but Ruggiero ducks down to avoid it.

Alaniz shoots in and gets a takedown into Ruggiero's guard.
Ruggiero trying to keep a closed guard but Alaniz is proving a slippery customer.
Ruggiero wants to sweep but no luck.

Alaniz postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ruggiero is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Alaniz, into his guard.
Ruggiero preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero trying to control but Alaniz is working from the bottom.
Ruggiero's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Ruggiero drops back looking for a leg! Alaniz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Alaniz manages to kick Ruggiero off! Ruggiero jumps back into Alaniz's guard.
Ruggiero forces his way into half guard.
Ruggiero wants to control but Alaniz is keeping him busy.
Ruggiero wants to pass the guard but Alaniz is defending well.
Alaniz 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alaniz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ruggiero is keen to just control but Alaniz is a slippery customer.
Ruggiero might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Alaniz haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Alaniz makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Alaniz.

Ruggiero stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Alaniz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruggiero takes a swing at Alaniz's ribcage but misses.
Alaniz moves in looking to clinch but Ruggiero pushes him off.
A head kick misses from Ruggiero.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benjamin Ruggiero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ruggiero has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benjamin Ruggiero!
A very excited looking Benjamin Ruggiero made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
The defeated Charlie Alaniz had this to say: 'congratulations'.