PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Xanadu Newton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jethro Rusted (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jethro Rusted acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Newton
vs
Rusted

180 cm
28
185 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

185 cm
26
179 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xanadu Newton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jethro Rusted!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rusted takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
We've been hearing reports that Newton has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Rusted throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rusted misses with a lunging right hand
and Newton counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rusted fails with a takedown attempt.
Newton tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Rusted manages to circle out of the way.
Rusted checks a low kick from Newton.
Newton chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rusted can pounce on him.
Rusted takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Rusted throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Newton tries to land a body kick

and Rusted counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Newton trying to control from the bottom.
Rusted is trying to control the action in half guard but Newton is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Newton is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newton looking for submissions off his back.
Rusted looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Rusted thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Newton looking for submissions off his back.
Rusted seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Newton does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Newton wants to get back to full guard.
Newton trying to control from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Newton cracks Rusted with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rusted shoots in for a double leg but Newton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rusted. Newton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rusted swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Newton.
Rusted moves out of range of the body kick from Newton.
Rusted throws a body kick that misses.
Rusted dodges the punch combination from Newton.
Rusted with the counter takedown but Newton avoids it easily.
Rusted throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A little feinted left hand from Newton on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Newton.
Rusted throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Newton avoids the head kick by Rusted.
Rusted dives in and grabs Newton's left leg, looking for a takedown. Newton pushes down on Rusted's head and hops out.
Newton wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Xanadu Newton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jethro Rusted.
Rusted feints and then cracks Newton's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Newton down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rusted throws a body punch but Newton moves out of range.
Newton checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton throws a hook but Rusted avoids it easily.
Rusted wants to counter with a clinch but Newton pushes him away.
Rusted throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rusted looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A slow jab from Rusted misses its intended target.
A little feinted left hand from Newton on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rusted throws a wild body kick that Newton sees coming a mile off.
Rusted throws out a loose jab but Newton uses good head movement to avoid it.

Rusted shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Newton napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rusted working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Rusted goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Newton has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Rusted but great work by Newton.
Rusted has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Newton moves into full mount!
Rusted working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newton content just to control the position here.
Newton can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rusted is looking to escape.
Rusted is trying desperately to improve position.
Newton tries to control but Rusted wriggling away.
Newton with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Rusted holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Newton tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jethro Rusted dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Newton walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rusted.
Newton on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rusted tries to close the distance and clinch up but Newton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Newton swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Newton throws a wild body kick that Rusted sees coming a mile off.
Newton throws a hook to the side of Rusted's head but Rusted sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rusted has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice shot by Rusted.
Rusted throws a nice looking combination but Newton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rusted moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rusted throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rusted dives in for a single leg takedown but Newton sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jethro Rusted seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Newton lands a jab to the head.
Good leg kick by Rusted there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusted misses the shot to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rusted.
Rusted connects with a solid leg kick.
Newton scores with a nice head shot.
Newton avoids the body shot from Rusted.
Rusted misses with a looping right.
Jethro Rusted seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rusted.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Newton.
Rusted shoots in looking for a takedown. Newton tries to sprawl out of it but Rusted keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Newton manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A little feinted left hand from Newton on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rusted just misses with a punch to the body.
Newton fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rusted is out of range.
Newton misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Rusted.
Rusted misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Newton tries to counter by clinching up but Rusted breaks away and moves out of range.
Newton slips a jab from Rusted.
Rusted throws a head kick that half lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rusted looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Newton is fending him off so far but Rusted persists. Nope, Newton circles away and we're back to standing.
Newton was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Xanadu Newton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jethro Rusted.
Rusted throws a leg kick that is checked
and Newton counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Newton misses with a looping left.
Newton missing with a left hand there. Rusted was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rusted goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Newton went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Newton ducks under a wild hook from Rusted.
Newton fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rusted on the side of the head.
Rusted lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Newton swings for the body but Rusted moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Newton with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Newton.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rusted checks a leg kick.
Rusted tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Newton moves out of range of the body kick from Rusted.
Rusted keeps Newton at a distance using the push kick.
Rusted looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Newton is looking to counter punch.
Rusted lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newton avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rusted fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Newton throws a quick inside leg kick.
Newton is looking to land body kicks.
Rusted changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rusted throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Newton throwing a counter right hand but Rusted manages to avoid it.
Newton swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A decent looking cross lands there for Newton.
Rusted lands a nice shot to the body.
Rusted misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rusted throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Newton makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Rusted really felt that one!
Rusted misses with a hook. Newton ducked under it nicely.
Rusted misses with an uppercut.
Newton is looking to counter the offense by Rusted and move into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jethro Rusted will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rusted throws a push kick but Newton slaps the foot to one side.
A slow jab from Newton misses its intended target.
Newton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rusted was well out of range. Poor timing from Newton.
Newton tries to move into range but Rusted moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rusted looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rusted takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Rusted gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newton lands a nice looking kick to the body. Rusted takes a step back to recover.
Rusted works Newton's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newton defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rusted.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rusted.
Rusted throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A good leg kick by Rusted.
A slapping leg kick lands for Newton.
Newton gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rusted. Newton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rusted walks into a jab.
Newton scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rusted in his tracks.
Rusted lands a nice looking kick to the body. Newton takes a step back to recover.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rusted darts in looking for a takedown but Newton gets double underhooks and turns Rusted into the cage.
Newton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rusted.

Rusted fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Newton to the ground. Rusted is now in Newton's guard.
Xanadu Newton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rusted takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Newton is on top in guard.
Newton trying to control but Rusted is working from the bottom.
Rusted looking to hit a scissor sweep but Newton is one step ahead there.
Newton throws a strike but Rusted rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Newton utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Newton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rusted won't allow Newton to sweep him here.
Jethro Rusted is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rusted trying to control but Newton is working from the bottom.
Rusted showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Newton avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rusted passes Newton's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Newton is refusing to be controlled, as Rusted sits in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rusted throws a wild body kick that Newton sees coming a mile off.
A big right from Rusted misses.
A little feinted left hand from Newton on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rusted scores with a leg kick.
Rusted shoots for a takedown but Newton saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Xanadu Newton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jethro Rusted.
Newton avoids a kick to the body.
Rusted misses with a kick to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Newton. That snapped Rusted's head back.
Rusted tries a head kick but it misses.
Newton throws a body kick that misses.
Rusted tries to score with a low kick but Newton moves his leg out of the way.
Newton clobbers Rusted with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Newton scores with a punch to the head.
Rusted misses with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jethro Rusted.
Well Rusted 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jethro Rusted!