PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between DJ Rufus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elof Jurgs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jurgs is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Swords of thy Elf. Elof Jurgs is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Rufus
vs
Jurgs

190 cm
18
187 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

184 cm
25
200 lbs
7 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, DJ Rufus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Elof Jurgs!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Columbo Gatti and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rufus wants to clinch up but Jurgs keeps it at a distance.
A head kick misses from Jurgs.
Rufus half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Jurgs throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rufus was covering up waiting for the punch and Jurgs finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Jurgs is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Jurgs won't allow Rufus to sweep him here.
Rufus looking to control.
Jurgs stops Rufus from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jurgs won't allow Rufus to sweep him here.
Rufus wants to stand and escape but Jurgs is having none of it.
Rufus is trying to keep Jurgs in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jurgs will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Jurgs scores with a takedown into Rufus's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jurgs won't allow Rufus to sweep him here.
Rufus seems keen to control Jurgs's posture.
Jurgs prevents Rufus from getting back to his feet.
Jurgs working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jurgs stands up over Rufus, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rufus working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jurgs.
Rufus seems keen to control Jurgs's posture.
Jurgs not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rufus is pulling down on Jurgs's head to control his posture.
Rufus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've been hearing good reports from Rufus'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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Jurgs cracks Rufus with a solid left hand.
Jurgs trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rufus wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rufus wants to stand up but Jurgs is controlling him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rufus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rufus tries to clinch there but Jurgs circles away.
Jurgs with the counter takedown but Rufus avoids it easily.

Jurgs fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rufus to the ground. Jurgs is now in Rufus's guard.
Jurgs looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rufus wants to sweep but no luck.
Rufus is trying to control the position but Jurgs postures up.
Jurgs throwing strikes from guard but Rufus blocks nicely.
Jurgs working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rufus's head.
Jurgs won't allow Rufus to sweep him here.
Rufus trying to keep a closed guard but Jurgs is proving a slippery customer.
Jurgs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
My spies in Blackstar Striking Academy inform me that Jurgs has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Jurgs with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jurgs wants to control from the top but Rufus keeps moving.
Rufus preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jurgs won't allow Rufus to sweep him here.

That's four 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.
Jurgs missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rufus trying to keep a closed guard but Jurgs is proving a slippery customer.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rufus tries to close the distance and clinch but Jurgs swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
DJ Rufus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rufus moves to clinch but Jurgs breaks away

and Jurgs counters with a takedown into side control.
Rufus tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rufus takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jurgs prevents Rufus from escaping the position.
Rufus tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Jurgs connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rufus drives through and clinches with Jurgs against the cage.

Rufus has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Jurgs is trying to keep an underhook but Rufus manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Rufus missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jurgs keeping control of the position.
Jurgs is continuing to stall.
Rufus is looking to take a break and control but Jurgs is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jurgs makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Jurgs.
Rufus looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rufus controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rufus is fighting to break Jurgs's control of his arms but Jurgs is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Rufus throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rufus tries to clinch but Jurgs moves out of range.
And Jurgs responds with a good body kick, but Rufus manages to step out the way in time.

Rufus rushes Jurgs and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rufus wants a takedown.
Rufus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rufus misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jurgs has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rufus tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jurgs's elbow.
Rufus tries for a takedown. No joy.
Jurgs wants a takedown.
Jurgs is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rufus gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Jurgs is looking for a sweep. Rufus is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rufus wants to control but Jurgs is keeping him busy.
Jurgs is looking to control Rufus's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jurgs avoid being mounted?
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Rufus wants to control but Jurgs is keeping him busy.
Rufus content to control rather than advance.
Jurgs blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rufus.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Jurgs with that takedown attempt.
Rufus seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
DJ Rufus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elof Jurgs.
Rufus is looking to clinch.
Jurgs with the counter takedown but Rufus avoids it easily.
Rufus moves in looking to clinch but Jurgs pushes him off.
DJ Rufus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Jurgs shoots in and gets a takedown into Rufus's guard.
Jurgs won't allow Rufus to get back to his feet.
Rufus working a defensive guard but Jurgs manages to pass into side control anyway.
Rufus tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jurgs wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rufus takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Rufus tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jurgs tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jurgs wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rufus keeps working.
Jurgs looks up at the clock and then as Rufus takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Jurgs smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Rufus wants to control but Jurgs postures up.
Rufus gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Jurgs working the head and body with strikes.
Jurgs not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rufus is looking to control Jurgs's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rufus avoid being mounted?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jurgs slips a nice elbow through Rufus's hands, connecting with Rufus's forehead.
Jurgs thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rufus's head.
Rufus wants to improve his position but Jurgs is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DJ Rufus dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rufus closes the distance and pushes Jurgs back into the cage.
Rufus tries to score a body lock takedown but Jurgs shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Rufus is fighting off a takedown attempt but Jurgs is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Rufus to the mat. Rufus regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Rufus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jurgs trying to control the position from guard on top but Rufus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jurgs working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rufus wants to stand and escape but Jurgs is having none of it.
Jurgs lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jurgs missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jurgs postures up.
Jurgs stops Rufus from standing up.
Rufus utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rufus wants to stand but Jurgs is controlling the position.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rufus moves in looking to clinch but Jurgs pushes him off.
Rufus tries to clinch but Jurgs is having none of it.
Rufus wants to clinch up but Jurgs keeps it at a distance.
DJ Rufus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rufus rushes Jurgs and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rufus prevents a takedown attempt there.
Jurgs wants to take the fight to the mat but Rufus manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Jurgs goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rufus prevents it.
DJ Rufus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elof Jurgs.
Jurgs prevents the takedown attempt.
Rufus misses with a body punch.
Rufus has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jurgs avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rufus tries to work over Jurgs's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jurgs prevents a body shot from Rufus.

Jurgs has picked Rufus up - he's going for a ride! Jurgs dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Rufus kicks off Jurgs and gets to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rufus looks to clinch
letting Jurgs counter with a right hand.
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!
Rufus wants to clinch.
Jurgs shoots in but Rufus avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rufus moves in looking to clinch but Jurgs pushes him off.
Nice body kick from Jurgs.

Rufus has closed the distance and engaged Jurgs in a clinch.

Jurgs has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Rufus is trying to keep an underhook but Jurgs manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Rufus trying to hold on to Jurgs's head to control him but Jurgs postures up.
Jurgs winds up and cracks Rufus with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rufus is looking to escape.
Rufus makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rufus.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rufus holds on and takes a little breather.
Jurgs scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rufus preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rufus wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Elof Jurgs has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rufus keeping full guard, as Jurgs tries to pass.
Rufus wants to get back to his feet but Jurgs is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Jurgs must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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.
Rufus bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jurgs's guard.

Rufus trying to control but Jurgs is working from the bottom.
Rufus is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Jurgs is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rufus is looking to work some ground and pound but Jurgs has wrist control.
Rufus is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Jurgs is controlling Rufus's posture.
Rufus trying to control the position from guard on top but Jurgs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to DJ Rufus.
I think Rufus 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... DJ Rufus!
DJ Rufus took some time post fight to say the following; 'Here we go, BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING! WOOOOOOOO!'.