PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Hagush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Medeiros (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jose Medeiros has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hagush
vs
Medeiros

150 cm
25
145 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

171 cm
29
144 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

SP Ultimate Nutrition
Soul Supremacy Nutrition (90% laundry)

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ruslan Hagush!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Jose Medeiros!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Cecil Peabody and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hagush steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Medeiros.
Medeiros shoots in and drives through. Hagush sprawls well.
Hagush shoots for a takedown but Medeiros saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Medeiros stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Medeiros wants it to stay on the feet.

Hagush closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Medeiros quickly recovers to half guard.
Medeiros keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Medeiros is trying to get back to full guard.
Medeiros slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Hagush avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Medeiros looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Medeiros working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hagush.
Hagush trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hagush being controlled here momentarily.
Hagush cracks Medeiros with a solid left hand.
Medeiros is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Medeiros is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medeiros wants to control from the top but Hagush keeps moving.
Hagush has his hands on Medeiros's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Medeiros wants to control from the top but Hagush keeps moving.
Hagush wants to sweep here but Medeiros controlling him for the moment.
Medeiros trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hagush seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Hagush looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Medeiros puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Medeiros is nestled in close to Hagush, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medeiros stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Medeiros prevents Hagush from improving his position.
Medeiros missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Medeiros seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hagush does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Medeiros trying to mount his opponent but Hagush defends it.
Hagush wants to get back to his feet.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
My spies in The Seven Sins Grappling Academy inform me that Medeiros has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Medeiros throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Medeiros throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hagush shoots in for a takedown but Medeiros shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Hagush. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Medeiros shoots in but Hagush avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four 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.

Medeiros drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hagush might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hagush keeping full guard, as Medeiros tries to pass.
Medeiros wants to control from the top but Hagush keeps moving.
Hagush is trying to keep Medeiros in close.
Hagush pulls Medeiros in close to prevent any damage.
Medeiros loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hagush is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Medeiros is looking to work some ground and pound but Hagush has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Medeiros dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice takedown defense from Hagush. No joy for Medeiros on that attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Medeiros as Hagush shoots in.
Medeiros moves into range and connects with a jab.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hagush or perhaps it was just good defense by Medeiros, which made it look bad.

Medeiros throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hagush was covering up waiting for the punch and Medeiros finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Medeiros preventing the sweep.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hagush holds on and takes a little breather.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hagush is on top in guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hagush trying to control the position from guard on top but Medeiros is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Medeiros is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hagush defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hagush wants to control from the top but Medeiros keeps moving.
Medeiros pulls Hagush in to control the position.
Hagush working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Medeiros's head.
Medeiros is looking to sweep but instead, Hagush has passed into half guard.
Hagush thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Medeiros trying to control here.
Hagush not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Medeiros is trying to control but can't.
Hagush with the ground and pound but Medeiros uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Medeiros looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Medeiros working a defensive guard here.
Hagush wants to control from the top but Medeiros keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Medeiros gets the takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Medeiros wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hagush, who protects the arm well.
Medeiros works to advance to full mount. Hagush defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Medeiros scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Medeiros throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Hagush because Medeiros loaded up on that one.
Hagush tries to lock up and control but Medeiros gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Medeiros has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hagush tries to reverse the position but Medeiros maintains control.
Hagush wants to hold on but Medeiros pushes him away.
Medeiros in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medeiros landing punches.

Medeiros working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Hagush knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Medeiros on the ground.
Medeiros lands a couple of good shots and Hagush has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Hagush trying to control the hands but Medeiros breaks the grip.

Medeiros working for a choke but Hagush is defending well.
Medeiros scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Hagush is looking for a way out.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hagush fending off the submission attempt from Medeiros.
Medeiros punches Hagush on the ear.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Medeiros showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hagush's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hagush misses with the combination.

Hagush gets caught flat footed, as Medeiros shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Hagush working a defensive guard here.
Medeiros looking to pass the guard.
Hagush working a defensive guard here.
Medeiros forces his way into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Medeiros drops an elbow to the side of Hagush's head.
Medeiros is taking a breather. Hagush says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Medeiros passes to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Medeiros in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Medeiros has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Medeiros lands a heavy elbow.
Hagush is desperately trying to improve his position but Medeiros has a good base and remains in mount.
Medeiros has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Medeiros lands a big elbow.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Medeiros cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Hagush is rocked!
Hagush tries to hold on but Medeiros pushes him away.
Oh Hagush is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hagush is in all sorts of trouble here.

Medeiros working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Hagush seems to have got his legs back now.
Hagush can't escape the position.
Ruslan Hagush has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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

Medeiros looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Medeiros punching from mount but Hagush doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Medeiros avoids the attempt from Hagush to control.

Medeiros swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Hagush is now in Medeiros's guard. A big mistake from Medeiros there, giving up the dominant position!
Hagush has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hagush throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Medeiros works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jose Medeiros has got the better of the ground game so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Medeiros utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hagush is looking to work some ground and pound but Medeiros has wrist control.
Medeiros is trying to keep Hagush in close.
Hagush throws a strike but Medeiros rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Medeiros lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Medeiros missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Medeiros trying to control the position from guard on top but Hagush is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hagush is controlling Medeiros's posture.
Medeiros wants to pass the guard but Hagush is keeping the position.
Hagush can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Medeiros controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medeiros throws a big elbow that misses.

Hagush has his foot on Medeiros's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Medeiros works his way back into a safe position though.
Hagush keeping moving, preventing Medeiros from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Medeiros advances position into side control!
Jose Medeiros is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Medeiros trying to control the action but Hagush is working from the bottom.

Medeiros wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hagush, who protects the arm well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hagush looks to move to half guard but instead Medeiros has passed into mount! Damn!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Medeiros comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Medeiros has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Medeiros!
Jose Medeiros decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.