PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Denver Washington (ranked 5523 p4p, 558 weight class) and Thomas Rutherford (ranked 4350 p4p, 462 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Washington
vs
Rutherford

189 cm
40
182 lbs
24 - 18 - 0

187 cm
32
190 lbs
9 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

XFighter Clothing

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 24 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Denver Washington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Thomas Rutherford!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rutherford throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Washington's waist but Washington gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rutherford off to one side.
Rutherford scoring well with a low kick there.

Washington rushes Rutherford and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Washington misses with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Rutherford's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rutherford is looking to break free of the clinch but Washington has double underhooks.

Washington manages to break the clinch.
Rutherford swats away the attempt to clinch by Washington.
Rutherford is looking for the big counter here.

Rutherford gets caught napping as Washington dives in and scores a takedown. Rutherford manages to retain guard.
Washington scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rutherford is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rutherford keeping moving, preventing Washington from controlling successfully.
Rutherford managing to control the position.
Rutherford is looking to stand up but Washington isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington trying to control but Rutherford is working from the bottom.
Rutherford pulls Washington in to control the position.

Washington drops back looking for a leg! Rutherford is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rutherford manages to kick Washington off! Washington jumps back into Rutherford's guard.
Rutherford looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Washington stops Rutherford from standing up.
Rutherford has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Rutherford wants to stand but Washington is controlling the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Rutherford told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Washington closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Washington lands in his opponent's guard.
Washington won't allow Rutherford to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Washington with a flurry of punches that miss.
Washington stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rutherford swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rutherford preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Washington won't allow Rutherford to sweep him here.
Washington trying to control the position from guard on top but Rutherford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Washington prevents Rutherford from getting back to his feet.
Rutherford is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Washington trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Washington 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.
Rutherford is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Washington is controlling him.
Washington tries to free his leg and advance position but Rutherford is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford managing to control the position.
Washington makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Washington not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rutherford wants to stand up but Washington is controlling him.
Rutherford trying to keep a closed guard but Washington is proving a slippery customer.
Washington not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Washington moves into the clinch.

Rutherford manages to break the clinch.
Washington shoots in looking for a takedown but Rutherford manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Washington's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Washington changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rutherford looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rutherford is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Washington asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Rutherford's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Washington lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Rutherford holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Washington lands a nice forearm strike.
Washington prevents Rutherford from escaping the position.
Washington trying to control the action but Rutherford is working from the bottom.
Rutherford is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Washington asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Rutherford is trying to control Washington's posture but Washington avoids it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Washington connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Rutherford some visible discomfort.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rutherford gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Rutherford is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Washington's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Washington's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denver Washington dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rutherford throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Washington counters with a straight right hand.
Washington stuns Rutherford with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Washington throws a head kick but Rutherford moves out of range.
Rutherford with the counter takedown but Washington avoids it easily.
Rutherford misses with a wild combination.
Washington tries to clinch but Rutherford moves out of range.
A leg kick checked by Rutherford.
Rutherford stuffs the takedown.
Rutherford is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Washington with a body shot.
Rutherford misses with a takedown attempt
and Washington counters with a stiff right hand.
Rutherford displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Washington.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Washington.
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 can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Washington is controlling him well.
Rutherford is looking for a sweep.
Rutherford is still trying to improve position.
Washington in side control lands a decent elbow.
Rutherford is trying to control Washington's posture but Washington avoids it.
Rutherford is not content to let Washington control the position.
Rutherford is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Rutherford pushes Washington off looking to stand but Washington dives back in and keeps control.
Washington looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rutherford works his way to full guard. Good work.
Denver Washington overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washington trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rutherford is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Washington is controlling him.
Washington preventing the sweep.
Washington works over Rutherford with some ground and pound from guard.
Rutherford is looking to stand up but Washington isn't so interested in that idea.
Washington trying to control but Rutherford is working from the bottom.
Rutherford wants to stand and escape but Washington is having none of it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rutherford is on top in guard.

Washington keeping moving, preventing Rutherford from controlling successfully.
Rutherford wants to pass the guard but Washington is keeping the position.
Washington bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rutherford's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington throws a big elbow that misses.
Rutherford looking to hit a scissor sweep but Washington is one step ahead there.
Washington is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rutherford can do to turn this around?
Washington being controlled here momentarily.
Rutherford is looking to stand up but Washington isn't so interested in that idea.

Rutherford manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Washington is trying to drag Rutherford to the mat but Rutherford just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denver Washington. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Washington breaks from the clinch.
Washington fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Washington closes the distance and clinches.
Rutherford looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Washington escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rutherford drops his hands momentarily and Washington takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Washington blocks a head kick by Rutherford.

Washington dives in and scores a takedown into Rutherford's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rutherford is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Washington is controlling him.
Rutherford is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Let's hope that Rutherford has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Washington won't allow Rutherford to get back to his feet.
Washington stands up over Rutherford, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Washington throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Washington closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rutherford wants to get back to his feet.
Washington thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Washington scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Washington is looking for a kimura here.
Washington thows a huge punch but Rutherford dodges it nicely.
Rutherford wants to improve his position but Washington is controlling well.
Rutherford looks like he's trying to stand up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rutherford keeping control of the position.
Rutherford is trying to stand up here but Washington is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford keeping hold of Washington's head, controlling as best he can.
Washington stops Rutherford from getting back to his feet.
Rutherford wants to improve his position but Washington is controlling well.
Washington wants to free his trapped foot but Rutherford is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rutherford moves into full guard.
Washington working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rutherford wants to stand and escape but Washington is having none of it.
Rutherford tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rutherford is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Washington is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Denver Washington is winning the standup battle so far.
Washington looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rutherford is looking to clinch but Washington is avoiding it.
Washington changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washington connects with a right hand. Rutherford shakes it off.
Washington looks for a takedown but Rutherford sprawls well.

Washington scores with a takedown into Rutherford's guard.
Rutherford seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rutherford wants to stand and escape but Washington is having none of it.
Washington trying to control the position from guard on top but Rutherford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rutherford is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rutherford pulls Washington in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford controls Washington momentarily but Washington frees himself.
Rutherford keeping moving, preventing Washington from controlling successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Washington throws a big right hand that misses.
Washington throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Washington won't allow Rutherford to sweep him here.
Washington prevents Rutherford from getting back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Denver Washington is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rutherford misses with a two punch combination.
Washington shoots in for a takedown but Rutherford shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Denver Washington seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Washington with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denver Washington. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Washington rushes Rutherford and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Washington drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rutherford pulls his leg out and moves away.
Washington displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rutherford.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rutherford.
Rutherford defending well as Washington loads up on a big left hand.
Washington has a takedown stuffed.
As Washington backs off Rutherford throws a huge counter combo but Washington manages to avoid it all.
Rutherford thumps Washington with a low kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Washington is looking to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Rutherford's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Washington leaves Rutherford with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Denver Washington showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Washington has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Denver Washington!
Denver Washington took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'Time to call it, I want to thank the fans for all the support.'.