PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Denis Burza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Ruggiero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burza comes into the arena with Du Hast - Rammstein blaring out of the sound system. Ruggiero has chosen Bonobo - The Sicilians as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Burza
vs
Ruggiero

168 cm
28
148 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
142 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Clothing
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

KAISER
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Denis Burza!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Benjamin Ruggiero!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Richard Clark and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Ruggiero. No joy for Burza on that attempt.
Burza shoots in but no luck this time.
Burza closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ruggiero circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Burza. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ruggiero takes the fight into the clinch.
Ruggiero misses with a knee to the head.
Ruggiero lands an uppercut.
Ruggiero scores with a shoulder strike.
Burza has Ruggiero pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ruggiero manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Burza takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ruggiero lands a shoulder strike.
Ruggiero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Burza has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Burza drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ruggiero gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ruggiero lands a left hand that snaps the head of Burza backwards.
Ruggiero with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ruggiero tries to land a knee to the head but Burza blocks with his arms.

Burza gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Ruggiero trying to control here.
Burza wants to control but Ruggiero is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burza prevents Ruggiero from improving his position.
Ruggiero slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Burza preventing the sweep.
Burza postures up.
Burza trying to control the position from guard on top but Ruggiero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burza preventing the sweep.
Burza throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ruggiero works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ruggiero keeping moving, preventing Burza from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ruggiero manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Burza manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burza tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ruggiero wants to control from the top but Burza keeps moving.
Ruggiero forces his way into half guard.
Burza is doing well to control the position and prevent Ruggiero from advancing to side control.

Ruggiero seems to be looking for submissions.
Burza is staying active underneath Ruggiero, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Burza tries to roll over but Ruggiero keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burza is staying active underneath Ruggiero, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Burza works his way to full guard. Good work.
Burza looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Burza is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Wax on Wax off 'Dojo that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Ruggiero advances to half guard.

Ruggiero is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ruggiero seems to be working for a kimura but Burza defends the submission attempt.
Burza flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ruggiero tries to pass to full mount but Burza defends it.
Burza is looking to improve his position.
Burza won't allow Ruggiero to pass to mount.
Ruggiero is looking to take a break and control but Burza is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Burza dives in for a single leg takedown but Ruggiero sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Burza is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ruggiero is defending well.
Burza looking for a takedown.
Burza has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ruggiero after a bit of a struggle.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Burza as Ruggiero tries to tie him up.
Ruggiero with an attempt at a knee that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Ruggiero dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Burza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ruggiero sprawls well. Ruggiero wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Burza gets slowly back to his feet.
Burza doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ruggiero counters with a shoot takedown. Burza fights it but they end up in guard.
Burza bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ruggiero's guard.

Ruggiero is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Benjamin Ruggiero has got the better of the ground game so far.

Burza looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ruggiero is looking to advance position but Burza won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ruggiero is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Burza has managed to free his arm - good work.

Ruggiero is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Burza sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero wants to free his trapped foot but Burza is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Ruggiero is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Burza doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ruggiero.
Burza has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ruggiero is working away from the top position though.
Ruggiero has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Burza wants to improve his position but Ruggiero is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ruggiero seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Burza has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ruggiero is working away from the top position though.
Burza wants to get back to full guard.
Burza trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ruggiero seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Burza does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ruggiero wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Burza on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Ruggiero clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ruggiero with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Burza changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ruggiero fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Burza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ruggiero lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Burza at a distance.
Denis Burza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Burza.
Burza fails to land the takedown.
No luck for Burza with that takedown attempt.
Burza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ruggiero sprawls well. Ruggiero wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Burza gets slowly back to his feet.
Ruggiero throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Burza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero lands a really nice looking cross but Burza seems unphased.
Ruggiero connects with a crisp jab.
Ruggiero connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
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!
Burza tries to move into range but Ruggiero moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ruggiero turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ruggiero connects with a leg kick. Burza looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Burza shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ruggiero as he avoids it easily.
Ruggiero feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Burzas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ruggiero slaps away a takedown attempt from Burza, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ruggiero lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Burza tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ruggiero defends well and Burza ends up having to push Ruggiero into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Burza is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Burza drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ruggiero lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ruggiero creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Ruggiero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ruggiero throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Burza fails with the takedown
and Burza takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ruggiero misses with a straight right.
Ruggiero missing with a left hand there. Burza was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Burza takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Burza throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ruggiero was covering up waiting for the punch and Burza finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Burza looking to pass the guard.
Burza distracts Ruggiero with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruggiero utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Ruggiero has his feet on Burza's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ruggiero keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burza takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A clash of legs there as Burza blocks the low kick.
Burza fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Burza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ruggiero lands a head kick!
Burza shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ruggiero defends it nicely.

Ruggiero closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ruggiero working Burza over with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Burza has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ruggiero is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A nice left hand lands by Ruggiero.
Burza drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ruggiero gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ruggiero unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero lands a hook that snaps the head of Burza backwards.
Ruggiero softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruggiero lands a body shot in the clinch.
Burza has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ruggiero after a bit of a struggle.
Ruggiero with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A nice left hand lands by Ruggiero.
Ruggiero lands a hook that snaps the head of Burza backwards.
Ruggiero stops a takedown attempt from Burza.

Ruggiero breaks the clinch.
Burza takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ruggiero is looking to land body kicks.
Ruggiero is looking to slow Burza down with leg kicks.
Sloppy strikes from Ruggiero. Those never looked like landing.

Ruggiero moves into the clinch.
Burza takes a knee right on the jaw!
Burza is looking to take this one to the mat.
A short right from Ruggiero on the inside.
Ruggiero lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burza has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ruggiero avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ruggiero lands a nice uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ruggiero.

Burza is rocked!

Ruggiero escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Oh Burza is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Burza has his takedown stuffed
and Ruggiero counters with a solid body kick.
Burza shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ruggiero defends it nicely.
Burza seems to have got his legs back now.
Ruggiero buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ruggiero lands a nice shot to the body.
Benjamin Ruggiero seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Burza fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ruggiero misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Burza tries for a takedown but Ruggiero sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Benjamin Ruggiero is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ruggiero looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ruggiero darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Burza moves out of range of the body kick from Ruggiero.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burza on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick misses from Ruggiero.
Nice takedown defense from Ruggiero. No joy for Burza on that attempt.
Burza takes a jab right on the kisser.
Burza doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ruggiero cracks Burza with an open hand slap.
Ruggiero tries to close the distance and clinch but Burza swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Burza or perhaps it was just good defense by Ruggiero, which made it look bad.
Ruggiero is looking to clinch.
Burza chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ruggiero can pounce on him.
Ruggiero getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Burza dives in and grabs Ruggiero's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ruggiero pushes down on Burza's head and hops out.
Burza fails to land the takedown.
Burza looks for a takedown but Ruggiero sprawls well.

Ruggiero has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Ruggiero really dominated that 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.

Burza darts in looking for a takedown but Ruggiero gets double underhooks and turns Burza into the cage.
Burza tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ruggiero scores with a shoulder strike.
Burza drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ruggiero gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Burza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ruggiero landing knees to the body.
Burza has Ruggiero pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ruggiero manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ruggiero scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ruggiero lands with a short shot to the head.
Ruggiero lands with a short shot to the head.

Ruggiero's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Burza shoots and misses

and Ruggiero counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Burza!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ruggiero trying to control the position but Burza is working away.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ruggiero is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Burza has escaped the position, nice work there.

Ruggiero working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Burza striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Ruggiero is trying to get an arm triangle but Burza is defending well.
Burza tries to buck Ruggiero off but Ruggiero is having none of it.
Burza is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ruggiero off and has taken his back!
Ruggiero trying to control the position but Burza manages to sink in the hooks.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Burza.
Ruggiero tries to escape but Burza has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Ruggiero prevents Burza from getting a body triangle.
Ruggiero tries to roll but Burza sticks to his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burza is landing with strikes from the back.

Burza has got one arm under Ruggiero's chin. This could be trouble... Ruggiero trying to control the other hand but Burza gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Ruggiero has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:26 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Denis Burza!
Denis Burza is the new bantamweight champion!
Denis Burza took some time post fight to say the following; 'I want to thank Igor Byhenikov and everyone at Umbrella for giving me this opportunity. Thank you Luca Moconesi and all the guys at Wax On Wax Off Dojo. And of course Roc Stone and my brothers John, Roman, and Aron. Thank you for all the help and support.'.