PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Noob Saibot (ranked 213 p4p, 31 weight class) and Steven Rutherford (ranked 192 p4p, 26 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Saibot
vs
Rutherford

182 cm
36
178 lbs
38 - 14 - 1

183 cm
33
177 lbs
31 - 8 - 3

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
Aspire Clothing

Reaper Combatwear
Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$)

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 38 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Noob Saibot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 8 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steven Rutherford!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Chris Edwards and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saibot throws a right hand that misses

and Rutherford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rutherford has a couple of punches blocked by Saibot.

Saibot breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Good work by Saibot as he checks the leg kick.
As Rutherford looks to move away, Saibot throws a big counter combo but Rutherford just gets out of the way.
Saibot takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rutherford.
Saibot lands an overhand right.

It looks like Steven Rutherford has been cut.
Saibot looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Rutherford moves into the clinch.
Saibot tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rutherford's elbow.
Saibot blocks a body shot from Rutherford.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rutherford lands a left hand that snaps the head of Saibot backwards.
Rutherford works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rutherford blocking some punches.
Good body shot from Saibot.
Saibot working hard to break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Rutherford scores with a nice short uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saibot tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saibot is leaning against Rutherford and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Saibot breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rutherford with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rutherford ducks under a wild hook from Saibot.
Saibot slips a jab from Rutherford.
Rutherford feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Saibot's calf.
Rutherford swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saibot thinks about countering with a body kick.
Rutherford throws a wild body kick that Saibot sees coming a mile off.
Saibot swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Saibot throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Saibot throws a good cross that connects.
Rutherford checks a leg kick nicely.
Rutherford throws a body kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford ducks under a wild hook from Saibot.
Rutherford bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Rutherford closes the distance and pushes Saibot back into the cage.
Saibot swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saibot fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rutherford is working Saibot over against the cage.
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!
Saibot prevents a body shot from Rutherford.
A shot in the inside from Rutherford.
A nice left hand lands by Rutherford.

Saibot breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saibot gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Saibot ducks under a wild hook from Rutherford.
Saibot uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rutherford.
Steven Rutherford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rutherford lands with a nice body kick.
Rutherford misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saibot misses with a left hand
and Rutherford counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rutherford displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Saibot throws out the jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rutherford, right into the meat.
Rutherford is looking to slow Saibot down with leg kicks.
Rutherford lands with a right hand.

It looks like Noob Saibot has been cut.
Saibot slips a jab from Rutherford.
Saibot throwing a counter right hand but Rutherford manages to avoid it.
Rutherford lands a body shot.
Saibot takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Saibot rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rutherford moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rutherford lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rutherford. Saibot shrugs it off though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saibot is looking to slow Rutherford down with leg kicks.

Saibot tries to keep at a distance but Rutherford has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rutherford misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saibot fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rutherford lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rutherford.
Rutherford lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rutherford can't find room to land a body shot as Saibot controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Saibot fails to land.
Rutherford makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Saibot swings wildly with an uppercut but Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rutherford.
Rutherford misses with some punches.
Rutherford blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rutherford misses with a punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Rutherford dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Saibot with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rutherford to score with a decent uppercut.
Saibot looks to throw the jab but Rutherford is out of range.
Good work by Saibot as he checks the leg kick.
Saibot connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rutherford throws a body punch but Saibot moves out of range.
Saibot buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rutherford wants to land a leg kick but Saibot is out of range.
Rutherford has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rutherford misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rutherford scores with a spinning back kick!
Rutherford tries to clinch but Saibot moves out of range.
Rutherford swings widly with a right hand
and Saibot counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rutherford misses with a low kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Saibot misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saibot throws an off balance right hand
and Rutherford counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Saibot swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rutherford pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saibot throwing a counter right hand but Rutherford manages to avoid it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rutherford checks a leg kick.
Rutherford connects with a solid leg kick.
Rutherford looks to score with a jab to the body but Saibot is just out of range.
Rutherford on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Saibot. Saibot obviously looking to wear him down.
Saibot moves out of range of the body kick from Rutherford.
Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saibot.
Rutherford tries to counter with a clinch but Saibot shakes him off and moves away.
Saibot throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rutherford.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rutherford.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saibot blocks the body kick.
Rutherford throws a lazy uppercut
and Saibot counters with a nice kick to the body.
Saibot displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rutherford throws out the jab.
Rutherford throws a head kick that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rutherford throws a leg kick
and Saibot counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rutherford is looking to clinch but Saibot is avoiding it.
Saibot takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rutherford scores with a nice right hand.
Rutherford scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A telegraphed right hand from Saibot misses the target.
Rutherford misses with a jab to the body
and Rutherford takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford throws a body kick that misses.
Rutherford pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Saibot half committed to a counter leg kick.
Saibot defending well as Rutherford loads up on a big left hand.
Steven Rutherford seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rutherford throws a head kick that misses.
Saibot fakes the leg kick and cracks Rutherford in the body.
Rutherford looks to land a left hand but Saibot moved out of range nicely.
Rutherford thuds his right hand into Saibot's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rutherford has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Saibot swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Saibot moves out of range of the body kick from Rutherford.
Rutherford swings for the body but Saibot moves out of range.
Rutherford staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Rutherford finds it's way through Saibot's defenses.
Rutherford scores with a hook.
Saibot on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Saibot drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rutherford throws a right hand that misses
and Saibot counters with a slapping leg kick.
Saibot throws the left hand but Rutherford avoids the punch easily.
Rutherford scores with a decent looking hook.

Saibot is rocked!
Rutherford throws a head kick but Saibot moves out of range.
Rutherford moves out of range as Saibot strikes.

Rutherford clinches up against the cage.
Saibot misses with a punch on the inside.
Saibot is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rutherford tries to work over Saibot's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Rutherford showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Saibot throws a leg kick but Rutherford sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rutherford misses with a straight left.
Rutherford changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saibot throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Rutherford uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saibot.
Rutherford tries to counter by closing the distance.
Saibot misses with a head kick.
Rutherford misses with an uppercut.
Rutherford throws a leg kick but Saibot checks it.
Saibot throwing a counter right hand but Rutherford manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rutherford throws a sloppy head kick
and Saibot makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Saibot misses with an uppercut. Rutherford saw that one coming.
Nice uppercut there from Rutherford.
Rutherford defending well as Saibot loads up on a big left hand.
Rutherford tries to counter with a clinch but Saibot shakes him off and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford lands a jab to the head.
Rutherford lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rutherford misses with a left hand
and Saibot connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rutherford moves out of range as Saibot strikes.
Saibot on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Saibot scores with a spinning back kick!
Rutherford misses with a left hand
and Saibot counters with a good low kick that Rutherford was not able to check.
Rutherford swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Saibot.
Rutherford tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saibot was well out of range. Poor timing from Rutherford.
Crunch! Rutherford slams his shin into Saibot's torso.
Noob Saibot has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Rutherford misses.
Saibot feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Saibot misses with a hook

and Rutherford counters by clinching up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saibot throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rutherfords head.
Saibot lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rutherford backwards.
A short body shot lands from Rutherford as the two fighters clinch.
Saibot blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saibot misses with a hook from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Rutherford.
Saibot working aggressively here.
Still in the clinch, Rutherford scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saibot misses with a body punch.
Saibot tries a body shot but Rutherford blocks it.
Rutherford pushes Saibot back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rutherford has a couple of punches blocked by Saibot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rutherford.
Saibot looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saibot lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right from Rutherford.
Saibot working aggressively here.
Rutherford can't find room to land a body shot as Saibot controls the action.
Rutherford tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saibot's elbow.
Rutherford swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saibot wants to get back to striking at distance but Rutherford won't allow it.
A head punch on the inside from Rutherford fails to land.
Rutherford misses with a body punch.
Saibot misses with a punch on the inside.
Saibot lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Rutherford.
Rutherford tries to work over Saibot's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rutherford throws a punch but it's blocked by Saibot.
Rutherford working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rutherford lands a left hand.
Rutherford working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saibot blocks a body shot from Rutherford.
Rutherford swings wildly with an uppercut but Saibot uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rutherford misses with some punches.
Steven Rutherford is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A short uppercut from Saibot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saibot wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rutherford has him pressed against the cage.
Rutherford misses with some punches.
Saibot lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Saibot working aggressively here.
Saibot lands a body punch.
Saibot tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Saibot tries a body shot but Rutherford blocks it.
Saibot is trying to break free.
Rutherford tries to work over Saibot's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Saibot throws a punch but it's blocked by Rutherford.
A short body shot lands from Saibot as the two fighters clinch.
Saibot lands a left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Steven Rutherford.
Well Rutherford 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steven Rutherford!
Steven Rutherford very nearly forgot to thank Reaper Combatwear amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.