PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bradley Cardenas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andre Rua has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Cardenas
vs
Rua

191 cm
24
193 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

188 cm
25
192 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bradley Cardenas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andre Rua!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Thiago Cunha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Bradley Cardenas has been cut.
Cardenas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rua misses with a hook. Cardenas ducked under it nicely.
Rua misses with an uppercut. Cardenas saw that one coming.
Rua throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rua's coach down at Rio Top Team was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Rua's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Rua rushes Cardenas and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cardenas can't break the clinch.
The referee calls for Cardenas to work.
Cardenas is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Cardenas stalls.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rua has Cardenas pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Rua pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Cardenas tumbling to the mat - Rua dives into Cardenas's guard.

Cardenas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rua must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rua got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cardenas has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rua has managed to get both his arms back between Cardenas's legs - danger averted.
Cardenas has control of Rua's left arm, preventing Rua from doing any damage.
Cardenas is trying to keep Rua in close.
Cardenas looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

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.

Cardenas has his foot on Rua's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rua works his way back into a safe position though.
Rua tries to stand but Cardenas is controlling from the bottom.
Cardenas lands an upkick as Rua stands over him.
Rua is looking to stand up but Cardenas won't let him.
Cardenas is trying to keep Rua in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cardenas slips a jab and a cross from Rua.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rua drops Cardenas with a beautiful combination! Cardenas stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Rua is looking for the KO!

Cardenas is rocked!
Rua is throwing a storm of strikes! Right hook, left hook and follows it up with a spinning back fist! Cardenas hits the canvas like a rag doll! And just like that, this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:11 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Andre Rua!