PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Russell Wallace (ranked 2181 p4p, 223 weight class) and Ranky Scorpion (ranked 2077 p4p, 213 weight class). Wallace kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Dust in the Wind. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Wallace
vs
Scorpion

187 cm
40
259 lbs
24 - 16 - 1

213 cm
41
243 lbs
31 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 24 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Russell Wallace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 22 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ranky Scorpion!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wallace wants to slow Scorpion down by chopping away at his legs.
Scorpion tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Scorpion keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Wallace.
Wallace throws a low kick but Scorpion moves out of range easily.
Wallace fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wallace tries to close the distance and clinch up but Scorpion swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Scorpion with the counter takedown but Wallace avoids it easily.
Scorpion has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Wallace.
Horrible takedown attempt by Wallace or perhaps it was just good defense by Scorpion, which made it look bad.
Scorpion with the counter takedown but Wallace avoids it easily.
Wallace thows a leg kick but Scorpion checks it

and Scorpion counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Wallace has his foot on Scorpion's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Scorpion works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wallace has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Wallace tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wallace wants to stand and escape but Scorpion is having none of it.
Scorpion is looking to stand up but Wallace won't let him.

Scorpion gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Scorpion keeps the fight on the outside.
Scorpion with the counter takedown but Wallace avoids it easily.
Wallace throws a body shot but no joy.

Wallace closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Scorpion has Wallace pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Scorpion pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Wallace tumbling to the mat - Scorpion dives into Wallace's guard.
Wallace wants to get back to his feet but Scorpion passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wallace wants to improve his position but Scorpion is controlling well.
Scorpion prevents Wallace from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallace is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Wallace wants to get back to full guard but Scorpion has passed into side control.
Wallace can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wallace is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Scorpion decides to stand up, so the ref orders Wallace to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Wallace scores with a takedown into Scorpion's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ranky Scorpion will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Wallace changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Scorpion tries to avoid it but Wallace manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Scorpion to the ground. Scorpion escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wallace wants to clinch up but Scorpion keeps it at a distance.

Wallace shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Scorpion manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Wallace controlling from the top position.
Wallace wants to pass the guard but Scorpion is keeping the position.
Scorpion wants to get back to his feet but Wallace is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wallace drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Scorpion manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Wallace has Scorpion in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scorpion has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Wallace is proving hard to escape from.
Wallace is trying to keep Scorpion in close.

That's two 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.

Scorpion stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Wallace takes the fight into the clinch.

Scorpion gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Wallace is pulling down on Scorpion's head. It's preventing any offense from Scorpion, at least for the moment.

Scorpion gets to his feet - Wallace follows without any prompting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallace digs a good hook to Scorpion's body.

Wallace fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Scorpion sprawls well initially but Wallace persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Ranky Scorpion has got the better of the ground game so far.

Wallace is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Scorpion to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Wallace looking to sit in guard and control but Scorpion gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Wallace controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Scorpion stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Wallace tries to clinch but Scorpion is having none of it.
Wallace throws a body shot but no joy.
Wallace tries to score a power double leg takedown but Scorpion sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wallace somewhat.
Scorpion changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Wallace is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Scorpion drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wallace defends it well.
Wallace tries to close the distance and clinch but Scorpion swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Scorpion checks a low kick from Wallace.
And Scorpion tries to counter it with a takedown but Wallace pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Wallace tries to clinch up.
Scorpion is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Scorpion gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ranky Scorpion will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Horrible takedown attempt by Wallace or perhaps it was just good defense by Scorpion, which made it look bad.
Scorpion changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Wallace scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Wallace tries to clinch but Scorpion moves out of range.
Wallace tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Scorpion manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wallace tries to clinch but Scorpion is having none of it.
Wallace tries to clinch up.
Scorpion changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Wallace clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wallace drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Scorpion drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wallace pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wallace is looking to clinch.

Wallace closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Scorpion to the mat! Scorpion manages to get full guard.
Wallace stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Scorpion swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wallace is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scorpion wants to stand up but Wallace is controlling him.
Wallace trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Wallace might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Scorpion preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Wallace tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wallace tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Scorpion drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wallace defends it well.

Wallace changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Scorpion looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Scorpion is not content to let Wallace control the position.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wallace is trying to get an arm triangle but Scorpion is defending well.
Wallace wants to lay and pray for a moment but Scorpion keeps working.
Wallace tries to move into full mount but can't pass Scorpion's legs.

That's four 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.

Scorpion sneaks out the side door and pushes Wallace away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Wallace shoots in for a double leg but Scorpion sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Russell Wallace. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wallace is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wallace is looking to clinch.
Wallace tries to close the distance and clinch but Scorpion swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Scorpion with the counter takedown but Wallace avoids it easily.
Wallace doesn't manage to clinch there - Scorpion circles away.
Wallace throws a head kick but Scorpion moves out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Scorpion keeps the fight on the outside.
Wallace throws a head kick that misses.
Scorpion changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Russell Wallace has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jab from Wallace.

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 Russell Wallace.
I think Scorpion 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ranky Scorpion!