PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Burley Rufford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Skyr Rahka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Skyr Rahka acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Rufford
vs
Rahka

160 cm
18
157 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Burley Rufford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Skyr Rahka!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Ackerman and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rahka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rahka misses with a body shot.
Rufford changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rufford swinging wildly here.
Rahka wants to counter the offense by Rufford and move into the clinch position.
Rufford throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rahka's waist but Rahka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rufford off to one side.
Rahka let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Rufford tries for a takedown but Rahka circles away easily
and Rahka counters with a stiff right hand.
Rufford dives in and grabs Rahka's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rahka pushes down on Rufford's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Burley Rufford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rufford misses with a right hand
and Rahka counters with a nice body shot.
Rufford with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Rahka to counter with a crisp jab.
Rufford looks to land a combination but Rahka avoids it well.
Rufford throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rufford lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rahka circles away quickly and effectively.
Rufford misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rahka throws out a counter right but Rufford avoids it with no problem.
Rufford moves out of range of the strikes.
Rahka scores with a jab to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rufford doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rufford takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahka throws a shot from downtown. Rufford moves away and avoids it.
Rufford fails to land the takedown.
Rahka misses the shot to the body.
Rufford shoots in for a takedown but Rahka shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rahka throws out a counter right but Rufford avoids it with no problem.
Rufford steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rahka.
Rufford misses with a takedown
and Rahka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rufford misses with a hook
and Rahka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rufford is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rahka cracks Rufford with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rufford takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
No luck for Rufford with that takedown attempt.
It seemed like Rahka was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Rufford is breathing heavily.
Rufford throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rufford slips under a jab from Rahka.
Rufford tries to counter with a takedown but Rahka is quick to defend against it.
Rahka works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rahka might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Rahka throws a hook but Rufford blocks it.
A big left from Rahka misses.
Rufford drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rahka sprawls and moves away.
Rahka throws a lazy right hand but Rufford sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rufford doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rahka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rahka is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Rufford moves out of range of the strikes.
Rahka lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rufford shoots in but no luck this time.
Rahka stuffs the takedown attempt from Rufford. Rufford gets slowly back to his feet.
Rufford slips a straight right by Rahka.
Rahka paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rahka misses the shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Rahka. No joy for Rufford on that attempt.
Nice defenses there by Rahka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rufford looks for a takedown but Rahka sprawls well.
Rahka is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Rufford with a body shot.
Rahka with a nice cross.
Rahka slips a straight right by Rufford.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rufford is defended easily by Rahka.
Rufford slips a jab from Rahka.
Rahka misses the jab.
Rufford has his takedown stuffed
and Rahka counters with a left to the body.
Rahka bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rufford's head backwards.
Rufford throws a sloppy body shot
and Rahka counters with a nice uppercut.
Rufford tries for a takedown but Rahka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rahka looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rahka thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahka scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rahka misses with a straight right.
Rahka ducks under a wild hook from Rufford.
Rahka looks to land a left hand but Rufford moved out of range nicely.
Rufford slips under a jab.
Rufford gets cracked there but stands up to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rufford drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Rufford throws a series of punches but Rahka avoids them all with ease.
A little jabbing left from Rahka on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rufford doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rahka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rufford looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rufford shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rahka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rahka darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rufford attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Skyr Rahka dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rahka with a hook.
Rufford ducks under a wild hook from Rahka.
Rufford misses with a hook.
Rufford slips under a jab from Rahka.
Nice defenses there by Rahka.
Burley Rufford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rufford looks to score with a jab to the body but Rahka is just out of range.
A nice side step and Rahka releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Rufford slips a jab from Rahka.
Rahka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A telegraphed right hand from Rahka misses the target.
Rahka throws a looping overhand right but Rufford ducks down to avoid it.
Rahka thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rufford shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rahka counters with a nice body shot.
Rahka scores with a jab to the body.

Rufford shoots in and bounces Rahka off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rufford throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rufford working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rahka's head.
Rufford lands a couple of elbows.
Rufford won't allow Rahka to get back to his feet.
Rahka has momentary wrist control but Rufford slips an elbow through the middle.
Rahka wants to get back to his feet but Rufford is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rufford postures up and lands a big shot to Rahka's brow.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rufford loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rufford postures up and lands a big shot to Rahka's brow.
Rahka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rufford postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rufford postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rahka wants to stand and escape but Rufford is having none of it.
Rahka is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rufford postures up in Rahka's guard and throws a big left but Rahka blocks it.
Rufford throwing strikes from guard but Rahka blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rufford accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rahka pulls Rufford in close to prevent any damage.
Rahka wants to get back to his feet but Rufford is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rufford has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rufford postures up and lands a big shot to Rahka's brow.
Rahka is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rufford connects with a couple of short punches.
Rufford working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rufford passes into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rufford lands a nice short elbow.
Rahka trying to hold on to Rufford's head to control him but Rufford postures up.
Rufford takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rufford is nestled in close to Rahka, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rahka is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rufford scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nice strikes from Rufford there.
Rufford slips a nice elbow through Rahka's hands, connecting with Rahka's forehead.
Rufford working the head and body with strikes.
Rahka taking some punishment here, with Rufford in his half guard.
Rufford working Rahka over with strikes.
Rufford slips a nice elbow through Rahka's hands, connecting with Rahka's forehead.
Rufford landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahka wants to get back to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rahka can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rufford working over Rahka with some ground and pound. Rahka looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rufford seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
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!
Rufford takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rufford lands with a punch from half guard.
Rufford 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.
Rufford lands strikes from half guard.
Rahka taking some punishment here, with Rufford in his half guard.
Rahka taking some punishment here, with Rufford in his half guard.
Rufford winds up and cracks Rahka with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rufford working Rahka over with strikes.
Nice strikes from Rufford there.
Rufford looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Rufford working Rahka over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Burley Rufford dominated that second round.
That's time! Rufford's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Rahka gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rahka is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rufford might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rahka is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rahka seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Rahka trying to control the pace.
Rufford is controlling Rahka's trapped leg to prevent Rahka from advancing to side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rahka is pressing down on Rufford's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rufford is holding on for now.
Rahka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rahka with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Rahka really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rufford. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rahka is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Burley Rufford overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rahka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rufford is looking to improve his position.
Rufford is working hard here to advance position.
Rahka wants to get back to his feet.
Rufford trying to control from the bottom.
Rufford is trying to get back to full guard.
Rufford is controlling Rahka's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Rahka prevents Rufford from improving his position.
Burley Rufford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Rufford regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rufford wants to sweep here but Rahka controlling him for the moment.
Rufford pulls Rahka in close to prevent any damage.
Rufford looking for a sweep. Not yet Rufford, not yet.
Rufford keeping moving, preventing Rahka from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rufford shoots and misses
letting Rahka counter with a right hand.
Rufford misses with a right hand
and Rahka counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Rufford looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Rahka!
Rahka tries to buck Rufford off but Rufford is having none of it.
Rahka is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rufford scores with punches from side control.
Rufford is chipping away with strikes.
Rahka taking punishment in the form of punches.
Rahka is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rufford is controlling him well.

Rufford wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rahka, who protects the arm well.
Rufford lands some shots froms side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rufford working the body and head with strikes.
Check out the look on Rufford's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rufford working the ground and pound.
Rufford scores with punches from side control.
Rufford cracks Rahka with a big right hand but Rahka just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Rufford is working Rahka over with some ground and pound from side control.
Rahka taking a bit of punishment here - Rufford scoring with strikes.
Rufford is working Rahka over with some ground and pound from side control.
Rufford in side control lands a decent elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rufford cracks Rahka with a big right hand but Rahka just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rufford scoring with punches and elbows.
Rahka is working to avoid the ground and pound but Rufford connects with a decent elbow.
Rahka taking punishment in the form of punches.
Rufford landing a few strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Burley Rufford showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rufford has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Skyr Rahka!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Burley Rufford!
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Skyr Rahka!

Skyr Rahka wins by split decision!