PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shogun Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cage is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: "Can't Be Touched" by Roy Jones Jr.. On his way into the cage it seems that Shogun Rua has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Shogun Rua seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Rua
vs
Cage

190 cm
18
240 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

179 cm
19
270 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shogun Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Cage!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rua drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Cage has eaten all the pies!
Cage sneaks back into half guard.
Cage is trying to get back to full guard.
Rua seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cage does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cage is trying to control but can't.
Cage moves into full guard.

Rua drops back looking for a leg! Cage is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cage manages to kick Rua off! Rua jumps back into Cage's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rua is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rua trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cage's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage pulls Rua in close to prevent any damage.
Cage controls Rua momentarily but Rua frees himself.
Rua forces his way into half guard.
Rua tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Cage works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cage has control of Rua's left arm, preventing Rua from doing any damage.

That's two 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.
Cage is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rua is controlling him.
Rua trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cage is trying to keep Rua in close.
Cage has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Rua sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rua will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rua drops back looking for a leg! Cage is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cage manages to kick Rua off! Rua jumps back into Cage's guard.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Rua trying to control but Cage is working from the bottom.
Cage managing to control the position.
Cage trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rua wants to pass the guard but Cage is keeping the position.
Cage is trying to keep Rua in close.

Despite being in the dominant position, Alexander Cage just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cage blocks a leg kick.
Cage shoots in for a takedown but Rua shows good takedown defense.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rua lands a head shot.
Rua circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rua stuffs the takedown.
Rua misses with a takedown attempt

and Cage counters with a shoot takedown. Rua fights it but they end up in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rua looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Cage pushes Rua up against the cage in a clinch.
Cage managing to block the knees to the body from Rua.

Rua drags the fight down to the ground.
Rua not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Rua is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cage sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cage gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cage tries to close the distance and clinch but Rua swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cage fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage tries for a takedown but Rua circles away easily

and Rua counters with a takedown into side control.
Cage tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rua wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Cage sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rua tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Cage.
Cage trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rua tries to pass to full mount but Cage defends it.
Rua is trying to control the action in half guard but Cage is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage trying to control here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cage swats away the attempt to clinch by Rua.
Rua changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cage tries to avoid it but Rua manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cage to the ground. Cage escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Rua gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rua being controlled here, momentarily.
Rua lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cage!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage tries to hold on but Rua postures up.
Rua is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cage can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Cage tries to lock up and control but Rua gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rua controlling the pace for now.
Cage is trying desperately to improve position.
Cage wants to hold on but Rua pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cage is working to get back to half guard.
Rua controlling from the full mount.
Cage tries to hold on but Rua pushes him away.
Cage is squirming around, avoiding Rua's attempts to control the action.
Rua avoids the attempt from Cage to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Shogun Rua will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cage throws a leg kick but Rua moved away.
Good standup being displayed there by Rua as he connects with a hook.
Cage will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Cage scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rua is trying to improve his position.
Cage wants to control but Rua is keeping him busy.
Alexander Cage has got the better of the ground game so far.
You can see the frustration on Rua's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage takes a little break here. Rua wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rua throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cage's head.

Cage closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rua wants to control but Cage is keeping busy.
Rua pushes Cage off looking to stand but Cage dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rua wants to sweep here but Cage controlling him for the moment.
Rua not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cage wants to control from the top but Rua keeps moving.
Cage tries to free his leg and advance position but Rua is retaining full guard.
Rua wants to stand and escape but Cage is having none of it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rua scores with a jab. Cage acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Cage changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rua looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Cage content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua is looking to reverse the position.

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.
Rua can't do much from the bottom here.
Cage controlling the position.
Cage trying to control the action but Rua is working from the bottom.
Rua tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cage stands up and beckons Rua to his feet.

Cage closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cage lands in his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Cage comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cage has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Cage!