PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jamal Mohammed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rufus Ruffarino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Mohammed
vs
Ruffarino

174 cm
18
160 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

178 cm
22
165 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jamal Mohammed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rufus Ruffarino!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Franklyn Lucas and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruffarino dodges the punch combination from Mohammed.
Ruffarino feints the counter takedown.
Mohammed lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mohammed throws a series of punches but Ruffarino moves out of range.
Mohammed tests Ruffarino's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Ruffarino shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mohammed is trying to defend but Ruffarino finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ruffarino seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ruffarino lands strikes from half guard.

Mohammed looking for submissions off his back.
Ruffarino perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ruffarino working the head and body with strikes.
Ruffarino moves into full mount! Mohammed won't be happy about that!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ruffarino postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Mohammed looks a forlorn figure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruffarino is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Mohammed can't escape the position.

Ruffarino has control of Mohammed's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Mohammed regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Ruffarino lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Mohammed is desperately trying to improve his position but Ruffarino has a good base and remains in mount.
Ruffarino is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Mohammed can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Ruffarino landing strikes from the mount.
Mohammed can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A nice elbow there by Ruffarino.
Mohammed really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mohammed is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
BOOM! Ruffarino connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Mohammed really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ruffarino has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Mohammed's face.

Ruffarino is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Mohammed to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Mohammed shrugs it off.
Ruffarino working Mohammed over with strikes here.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Ruffarino controlling the position easily from mount.
Mohammed is looking to improve his position but Ruffarino isn't that keen on the idea.
Ruffarino working Mohammed over with strikes here.
Ruffarino lands a big elbow.

Ruffarino has control of Mohammed's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Mohammed regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Mohammed keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruffarino landing punches.
Ruffarino lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ruffarino controlling his opponent.
Ruffarino is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Mohammed can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Ruffarino is landing with some decent strikes but Mohammed is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Ruffarino looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Ruffarino takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Mohammed tries to reverse the position but Ruffarino maintains control.
Mohammed is in a horrible position here. Ruffarino smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Ruffarino with the ground and pound from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruffarino controlling the position easily from mount.
Ruffarino is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Mohammed can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ruffarino scoring with strikes but Mohammed is staying in there.
Ruffarino breaks from Mohammed's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Mohammed is trying desperately to improve position.
Ruffarino content just to control the position here.
Mohammed takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Ruffarino controlling from mount.
Ruffarino raining down shots from the mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ruffarino controlling from the full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Ruffarino dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mohammed misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mohammed connects with the punch.
Mohammed misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mohammed scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ruffarino has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ruffarino throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mohammed.
Mohammed throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruffarino swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Mohammed tries to sprawl but Ruffarino drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've been informed that Ruffarino has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ruffarino stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Mohammed to get to his feet.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mohammed, as that shot connected.

Mohammed tries to keep at a distance but Ruffarino has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mohammed tries to break the clinch but Ruffarino is controlling the position.

Ruffarino has hold of one of Mohammed's legs. Mohammed is fighting the takedown attempt but Ruffarino gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Ruffarino gets to his feet. Mohammed looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Mohammed gets caught napping as Ruffarino dives in and scores a takedown. Mohammed manages to retain guard.

Ruffarino stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruffarino throws a hook but Mohammed avoids it easily.
Mohammed looks to land a combination but Ruffarino avoids it well.
Mohammed sizes up Ruffarino with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
No joy there for Mohammed, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Mohammed tries to keep at a distance but Ruffarino has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ruffarino manages to break the clinch.
Jamal Mohammed is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ruffarino shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ruffarino was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ruffarino creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Ruffarino scoring with punches from side control.
Ruffarino works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Ruffarino working the head with strikes.
Ruffarino creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Mohammed is working to avoid the ground and pound but Ruffarino connects with a decent elbow.
Ruffarino is chipping away with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruffarino lands some shots froms side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mohammed is trying to get back to half guard.
Ruffarino cracks Mohammed with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Mohammed taking punishment in the form of punches.
Mohammed is looking to regain half guard here but Ruffarino keeps moving and retains side control.
Mohammed is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Ruffarino is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Ruffarino with good strikes from the mount here!
Ruffarino tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ruffarino in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Mohammed is trying desperately to improve position.
Ruffarino scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Mohammed?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mohammed is trying to escape the mount.
Ruffarino landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ruffarino looking to control and managing it successfully.
Ruffarino punishing his opponent with strikes.

Ruffarino working for a guillotine from mount but Mohammed is in no mood to give up.
Ruffarino lands a big elbow.
Ruffarino controlling the pace for now.
Ruffarino lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Ruffarino landing strikes from the mount and Mohammed is in trouble!
Ruffarino lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Mohammed working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruffarino lands with some strikes.
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!
Ruffarino scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Mohammed taking shots to the head.
Ruffarino with shots to the head and body - Mohammed looks very uncomfortable down there.
Ruffarino landing strikes from the mount.
Ruffarino lands a nice shot to the head.
Ruffarino tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ruffarino working the ground and pound effectively.
Ruffarino sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mohammed is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Ruffarino showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Ruffarino looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Mohammed!
Mohammed tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ruffarino wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ruffarino grinds an elbow into Mohammed's temple.
Rufus Ruffarino has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mohammed manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Ruffarino takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Ruffarino working over Mohammed with some ground and pound. Mohammed looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Mohammed actively working from the bottom here.
Ruffarino scoring with strikes to the body and head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruffarino working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ruffarino passes the guard and advances to mount!
Ruffarino punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruffarino lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Mohammed takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Ruffarino lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Ruffarino landing punches.
Ruffarino putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Ruffarino with shots to the head and body - Mohammed looks very uncomfortable down there.

Mohammed is rocked!
Mohammed is bucking up trying to escape but Ruffarino cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Oh Mohammed is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ruffarino controlling the pace for now.
Ruffarino lands a big shot there that rocks Mohammed but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Mohammed sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Ruffarino slips a nice elbow through Mohammed's hands, connecting with Mohammed's forehead.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ruffarino working the head and body with strikes.
Ruffarino with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mohammed is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ruffarino pulls his head out easily.
Mohammed seems to have got his legs back now.
Ruffarino moves into full mount! Mohammed won't be happy about that!
Ruffarino has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Mohammed's face.
Ruffarino prevents Mohammed from getting the reversal.
Ruffarino pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Ruffarino working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Ruffarino lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Ruffarino with shots to the head and body - Mohammed looks very uncomfortable down there.
Ruffarino working the ground and pound effectively.
Ruffarino working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Ruffarino sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mohammed is bucking up trying to escape but Ruffarino cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Mohammed gets back to half guard.
Ruffarino moves nicely into side control.
Ruffarino working the ground and pound from side control.
Ruffarino is working Mohammed over with some ground and pound from side control.
Ruffarino working the ground and pound.
Ruffarino creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Ruffarino controlling the position from side mount.
Ruffarino cracks Mohammed with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Mohammed gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruffarino takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ruffarino raining down shots from the mount!
Mohammed is working to get back to half guard.
Ruffarino controlling his opponent.
Ruffarino working the ground and pound effectively.
Ruffarino lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rufus Ruffarino comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ruffarino winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 26:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 26:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rufus Ruffarino!
In defeat, Jamal Mohammed stepped up to the mic, saying 'losses happen whatever im still going to be the best ever'.