PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Miro Bang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ricio Rua will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bang
vs
Rua

200 cm
21
214 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
225 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Miro Bang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricio Rua!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua misses with a double jab

and Bang counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Bang's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Rua is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rua is trying to stand.

Bang is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rua defends it well.

Bang looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bang wants to pass the guard but Rua is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rua is looking to stand up but Bang isn't so interested in that idea.
Rua wants to sweep but no luck.
Bang working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rua controls Bang momentarily but Bang frees himself.

Bang thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Bang is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rua is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rua has escaped and now he's on top!

Bang looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bang is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Bang is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rua is aware though and is defending well.
Rua is looking to stand up but Bang won't let him.
Rua trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Bang looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rua stopping the sweep attempt from Bang.

Rua got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bang has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rua has managed to get both his arms back between Bang's legs - danger averted.
Rua lands a couple of digs.

Rua stands up from Bang's guard - Rua perhaps looking for a knockout.
Rua lands a nice hook to Bang's body. Bang takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bang has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Rua.
Rua tries to clinch but Bang moves out of range.
Bang takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bang avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rua stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rua wants it to stay on the feet.
Bang avoids the body shot from Rua.
Bang attempts a counter takedown but Rua avoids it well and moves away.

Rua moves into the clinch.
Rua misses with a hook from the clinch.

Rua pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rua pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bang feinted with a counter takedown.
Rua misses with a wild body shot.
Bang shoots in and drives through. Rua sprawls well.
Rua swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bang keeps the fight on the outside.
Ricio Rua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rua tries to clinch but Bang moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Bang pulls Rua into guard.
Rua would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Bang looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rua got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bang has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rua has managed to get both his arms back between Bang's legs - danger averted.

Bang had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rua defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bang escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rua gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rua controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rua tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bang paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bang shoots in looking for a takedown but Rua manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bang's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rua tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Rua lands a slapping body shot.
Rua tries to clinch up

and Bang counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bang.

Bang drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rua looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rua looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rua!

Rua decides to stand up, so the ref orders Bang to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua wants to clinch.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bang paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bang is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Rua.
Rua tries to clinch up but Bang circles away and keeps his distance.
Rua is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bang rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bang shoots in for a takedown but Rua shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rua moves in looking to clinch but Bang pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rua looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bang feinted with a counter takedown.
Rua looks to land a combination. Bang sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Miro Bang has been cut.
Rua fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bang drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rua sprawls and moves away.
Rua attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rua pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bang appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Rua gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bang is trying to pull guard but Rua turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miro Bang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Bang pulls guard effortlessly.

Rua gets to his feet. Bang looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bang.
Rua tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rua wants to clinch up but Bang keeps it at a distance.
Bang changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rua finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bang wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bang is looking for a takedown.
Bang on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Rua breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rua wants to clinch.
Bang changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rua throws a series of punches but Bang avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua looks for the body kick but Bang saw that one coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rua looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bang circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bang appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Rua has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rua is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bang swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rua misses with a leg kick

and Bang counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bang pushes down on Rua's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rua moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bang accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bang throwing strikes from guard but Rua blocks nicely.
Bang is looking to advance position but Rua has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Rua tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bang is in all sorts of trouble here.
Bang is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Rua tries to control but Bang wriggling away.

Rua get's back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

Ricio Rua showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Miro Bang's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rua is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bang misses with a takedown attempt - Rua sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Rua closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Bang's guard.

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

Bang is looking for a triangle but Rua pushes his legs off easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua passes Bang's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Bang actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Rua is going to stand back up.

Bang looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rua stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Ricio Rua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rua tries to clinch but Bang is having none of it.
Ricio Rua seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Bang shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bang showed some decent athleticism there.
Rua tries to kick Bang off but Bang keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bang working the head and body with strikes.
Bang with the ground and pound but Rua uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Rua is looking to stand back up but Bang counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Rua.
Rua felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua trying to control here.
Rua regains full guard. Nicely done.

Miro Bang overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bang is looking for a sweep.

Rua stands up.

Rua has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bang avoiding damage as Rua throws knees to the body.
Bang is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rua has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bang tries to pull guard but Rua holds him up against the cage and eventually Bang drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miro Bang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bang is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rua pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bang misses with a knee to the head.
Rua stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bang has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rua after a bit of a struggle.

Rua breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rua has managed to clinch.
Rua tries to break free but Bang pushes him back against the cage.
Bang letting Rua take a breather here.
Bang is trying to pull guard but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Rua is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bang tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rua smiles and moves away.
Bang closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rua circles away.
Bang circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rua looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bang throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch but Bang swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bang keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Some wild striking there from Rua.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rua swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bang tried to counter with a leg kick but Rua avoided it.
Miro Bang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Rua clinches up against the cage.
Ricio Rua is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bang is looking for a takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricio Rua comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rua 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricio Rua!