PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simon Kanitz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Rutherford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Steven Rutherford enters the cage!

Kanitz
vs
Rutherford

186 cm
33
185 lbs
33 - 3 - 0

183 cm
28
186 lbs
21 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction
KAISER

KAISER
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Simon Kanitz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steven Rutherford!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Steven Brown and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kanitz avoids a kick to the body.
Kanitz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rutherford moves away.
Kanitz throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Rutherford lands an overhand right.
Simon Kanitz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kanitz cracks the inside of Rutherford's front leg.
Rutherford blocks a leg kick.
Kanitz has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Hunter MMA in the buildup to the fight.
Rutherford looks for the body kick but Kanitz saw that one coming.
Kanitz throws a body kick that misses.
Rutherford steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kanitz.
Rutherford throws a right hand that misses
and Kanitz counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kanitz throws a leg kick that is checked
and Rutherford finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
A leg kick checked by Kanitz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rutherford takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kanitz tries to land a front kick but Rutherford steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rutherford staying out of range there.
Kanitz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kanitz takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Kanitz tenderised Rutherford's leg. Rutherford is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rutherford looks to score with a jab to the body but Kanitz is just out of range.
Kanitz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kanitz with a jab.
Rutherford uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kanitz.
Kanitz misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Rutherford counters with a good low kick that Kanitz was not able to check.
Kanitz throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rutherford on the side of the head.
Rutherford throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
As Rutherford backs away, Kanitz returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Kanitz throws a body kick that misses
and Rutherford counters with a straight right hand.
Kanitz throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kanitz throws a half hearted mid kick.
A shot to the liver by Kanitz. Beautiful body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rutherford.
An attempted straight right counter from Kanitz misses the target.
Rutherford throws a wild body kick that Kanitz sees coming a mile off.
Kanitz sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

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!
Rutherford lands with a cross.
Rutherford throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Rutherford cracks Kanitz with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rutherford drops his hands momentarily and Kanitz takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Crunch! Rutherford slams his shin into Kanitz's torso.
Kanitz lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rutherford looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Rutherford misses with a body kick.
Kanitz half committed to a counter leg kick.
Kanitz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rutherford throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kanitz looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rutherford thuds a left hand into Kanitz's body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kanitz.
Rutherford on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kanitz. Kanitz obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rutherford lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Good leg kick by Rutherford there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kanitz takes one on the button.
Rutherford moves out of range of the body kick.
Rutherford blocks the body kick.
Kanitz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kanitz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rutherford manages to avoid it.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kanitz!
Kanitz looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rutherford wants to counter with a clinch but Kanitz pushes him away.
Kanitz blocks a jab.
A jab from Kanitz does it's job there.
Rutherford takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kanitz throws a chopping leg kick but Rutherford manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rutherford avoids the body shot from Kanitz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz misses with a straight left.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rutherford! But no joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jab by Rutherford.
That kick from Kanitz tenderised Rutherford's leg. Rutherford is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rutherford swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rutherford looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kanitz slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A leg kick checked by Rutherford.
Rutherford scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rutherford fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kanitz.
Rutherford misses with a hook.
Kanitz was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kanitz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rutherford.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rutherford scores with a jab to the head.
Rutherford looks to land a left hand but Kanitz moved out of range nicely.
Kanitz lands a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Simon Kanitz will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kanitz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kanitz wants to land a leg kick but Rutherford is out of range.
Jab from Kanitz.
Kanitz scores with a body shot.
Kanitz fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rutherford looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rutherford tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kanitz was well out of range. Poor timing from Rutherford.
Rutherford is looking to land body kicks.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rutherford.
Kanitz was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kanitz cracks the inside of Rutherford's front leg.
Rutherford just misses with a punch to the body.
Rutherford misses with a body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanitz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A jab from Rutherford finds it's way through Kanitz's defenses.
Kanitz takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rutherford keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kanitz.
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!
Kanitz getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford lands with an overhand left.
Kanitz lands a right hook to the body.
Kanitz on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A leg kick checked by Rutherford.
Rutherford steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kanitz.
Rutherford misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kanitz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rutherford at a distance.
Rutherford has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kanitz finds it's way round the side to connect with Rutherford's head.
Rutherford dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kanitz.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rutherford! But no joy.
Kanitz throws the kick towards the body but Rutherford avoids it.
Kanitz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Rutherford in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kanitz misses with a straight left.
Rutherford lands with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kanitz throws a head kick that misses

and Rutherford holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz throws a head punch that misses.
Kanitz prevents a body shot from Rutherford.
Rutherford lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kanitz backwards.
Rutherford lands a nice uppercut.
Rutherford has a couple of punches blocked by Kanitz.
Kanitz blocks a body shot from Rutherford.
Rutherford tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rutherford lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rutherford's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kanitz.
Rutherford lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kanitz backwards.
Good body shot from Rutherford.
Rutherford scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rutherford misses with the head strike.
Rutherford lands an uppercut.
Kanitz lands with a right to the head.
Rutherford misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rutherford fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kanitz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kanitz scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rutherford struggles to land a body shot inside as Kanitz controls his hands.
Rutherford scores with a shoulder strike.
Kanitz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rutherford misses with a punch to the body.
Kanitz lands an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rutherford.
Rutherford misses with a punch on the inside.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rutherford goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rutherford doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rutherford has a couple of punches blocked by Kanitz.
A right handed body shot lands from Rutherford.
Rutherford scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kanitz prevents a body shot from Rutherford.
A nice left hand lands by Rutherford.
Kanitz scores with a shot to the side of Rutherford's head.
Rutherford prevents a body shot from Kanitz.
Kanitz throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rutherfords head.
Kanitz misses with a punch to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rutherford lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kanitz backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford struggles to land a body shot inside as Kanitz controls his hands.
Rutherford lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kanitz backwards.
Kanitz blocks a body shot from Rutherford.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rutherford.
Kanitz struggles to land a body shot inside as Rutherford controls his hands.
Rutherford misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rutherford blocks an uppercut.
Kanitz misses with a punch on the inside.
Kanitz lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rutherford backwards.
Kanitz digs a right hand into Rutherford's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rutherford's gas tank.
Kanitz blocks an uppercut.
Kanitz lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kanitz throws a head punch that misses.
Kanitz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rutherford backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rutherford pushes Kanitz back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kanitz lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rutherford doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kanitz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rutherford throws a punch but it's blocked by Kanitz.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Steven Rutherford will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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.

Rutherford has Kanitz up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rutherford.
Rutherford swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kanitz.
Rutherford lands a hook that snaps the head of Kanitz backwards.
A body shot lands from Kanitz.
Kanitz lands a nice uppercut.
Kanitz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rutherford blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Rutherford.
Kanitz has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.
Kanitz pushes Rutherford back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Kanitz fails to land.
Rutherford doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rutherford can't find room to land a body shot as Kanitz controls the action.
Rutherford misses with some punches.
A shot in the inside from Kanitz.
Kanitz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kanitz misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanitz blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rutherford scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rutherford tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kanitz's elbow.
Kanitz tries to work over Rutherford's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kanitz misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Rutherford.
Kanitz throws a punch but it's blocked by Rutherford.
Rutherford tries to throw a body punch but Kanitz avoids it by throwing Rutherford back against the cage.
Kanitz misses with a body punch.
Kanitz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kanitz blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rutherford.
Kanitz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rutherford's elbow.
Kanitz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rutherford presses Kanitz against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kanitz blocks a body shot from Rutherford.
Kanitz scores with a shoulder strike.
Rutherford stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rutherford lands with a light punch inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford lands a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rutherford tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Rutherford.
Rutherford tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kanitz's elbow.
Rutherford misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Kanitz fails to land.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rutherford misses with a punch on the inside.
Rutherford scores with a shot to the side of Kanitz's head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rutherford.
Kanitz tries a body shot but Rutherford blocks it.
Kanitz misses with a punch on the inside.
Kanitz throws a punch but it's blocked by Rutherford.
A short uppercut from Rutherford.
Rutherford can't find room to land a body shot as Kanitz controls the action.
Kanitz scores with a shot to the side of Rutherford's head.
Steven Rutherford seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rutherford lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kanitz has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.
Rutherford can't find room to land a body shot as Kanitz controls the action.
Rutherford working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kanitz blocking some punches.
Rutherford blocks an uppercut.
Rutherford misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rutherford doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rutherford blocking some punches.
Kanitz lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rutherford throws a head punch that misses.
Kanitz struggles to land a body shot inside as Rutherford controls his hands.
Rutherford can't find room to land a body shot as Kanitz controls the action.
Kanitz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kanitz tries to work over Rutherford's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Rutherford.
Rutherford scores with a shot to the side of Kanitz's head.
Kanitz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rutherford goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right handed body shot lands from Rutherford.
Rutherford lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kanitz tries to throw a body punch but Rutherford avoids it by throwing Kanitz back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kanitz can't find room to land a body shot as Rutherford controls the action.
Kanitz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kanitz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rutherford scores with a hook to the body.
Kanitz has a couple of punches blocked by Rutherford.
Rutherford lands a body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rutherford.
Rutherford lands with a left to the head.
Kanitz blocks an uppercut.
Rutherford lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kanitz.
Rutherford tries to throw a body punch but Kanitz avoids it by throwing Rutherford back against the cage.
Rutherford is working Kanitz over against the cage.
Rutherford scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rutherford lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rutherford misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rutherford.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rutherford.
Kanitz prevents a body shot from Rutherford.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kanitz misses with an uppercut.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rutherford checks a leg kick.
Kanitz throws a jab when Rutherford was well out of range.
Rutherford looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rutherford swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Rutherford cracks Kanitz with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Rutherford has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Kanitz to stand back up!

Kanitz is rocked!
Kanitz misses with a hook.
Oh Kanitz is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kanitz throws a looping overhand right but Rutherford ducks down to avoid it.
Steven Rutherford seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rutherford drops a shoulder and throws an uppercut that cracks Kanitz right on the button. Kanitz goes down! Rutherford follows him to the mat and finishes the job with more strikes! Rutherford gets the win via TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:34 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Steven Rutherford! Steven Rutherford retains his middleweight title!
A relieved looking Steven Rutherford thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.