PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Araujo (ranked 1070 p4p, 116 weight class) and Carlos Ruas (ranked 3085 p4p, 330 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Araujo
vs
Ruas

193 cm
20
285 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

200 cm
21
280 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Juggernaut And Gladiators(90% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Araujo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Carlos Ruas!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruas throws a looping overhand right but Araujo ducks down to avoid it.
Araujo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Araujo tries to clinch but Ruas moves out of range.

Araujo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Araujo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Araujo tries for a kimura but Ruas is defending well.
Ruas manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Araujo is working for a kimura but Ruas is defending it quite comfortably.
Ruas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Araujo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ruas actively working from the bottom here.

Araujo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ruas is just riding it out for now. Araujo eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ruas is looking for a sweep. Araujo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruas keeps trying to improve his position.
Araujo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ruas is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Araujo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ruas defends it well.

Araujo is working for a submission of some sort.
Ruas moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Araujo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ruas manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Araujo manages to get himself to full guard.

Araujo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ruas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ruas wants to control from the top but Araujo keeps moving.

Araujo working for submissions but it's allowed Ruas to get to half guard.
Araujo won't allow Ruas to pass to mount.
Araujo is looking to control Ruas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Araujo avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo is trying to get back to full guard.
Ruas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Araujo keeps working.
Ruas looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Araujo wants to control but Ruas is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Araujo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ruas's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ruas's back!

Araujo is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Ruas knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Ruas for a finish.
I really don't envy Ruas right now.
Araujo is not going to allow Ruas to sit and survive in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruas manages to reverse the position and now he's in Araujo's guard. Nice work there by Ruas.
Araujo looking to control.
Araujo is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ruas is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Araujo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ruas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Araujo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Araujo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ruas is aware though and is defending well.
Ruas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Araujo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ruas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Araujo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Araujo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Araujo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Araujo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ruas, pushing him back against the cage.
Araujo will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ruas up against the cage.
Ruas lands with a light punch inside.

Ruas decides to pull guard.
Ruas wants to sweep but no luck.
Ruas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ruas moves into full mount! Araujo won't be happy about that!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Araujo regains half guard.
Araujo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Araujo.
Ruas tries to free his leg and advance position but Araujo is retaining full guard.
Ruas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruas pushes down on Araujo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Araujo is trying to maintain the position but Ruas is very close to passing his half guard.
Araujo is trying to get back to full guard.
Ruas is looking to advance position but Araujo won't allow it.

Araujo actively working from the bottom here.
Araujo is pressing down on Ruas's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Araujo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Araujo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ruas defending well though.

Araujo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ruas tries to get to full guard but Araujo has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo is keen to just control but Ruas is a slippery customer.
Thiago Araujo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ruas is looking to control Araujo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ruas avoid being mounted?
Ruas wants to improve his position but Araujo is controlling well.
Ruas taking some punishment here, with Araujo in his half guard.
Araujo uses his free foot to push down on Ruas's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ruas.
Ruas is trying desperately to improve position.

Araujo is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Ruas can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ruas?

It looks like Carlos Ruas has been cut.
Ruas wants to hold on but Araujo pushes him away.

Araujo has control of Ruas's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ruas regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Ruas is trying to escape the mount.

Araujo looking for a guillotine from mount but Ruas is having none of it.
Ruas slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Ruas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Araujo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Araujo's back!

Ruas is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Araujo has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Ruas looking for the choke but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Araujo tries to escape but Ruas has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Araujo looking very determined here, making life difficult for Ruas.

Ruas looking for the RNC.
Ruas keeps control of the position as Araujo tries to break free.
Ruas tries to get the hooks in deep but Araujo pushed the leg off.
Our spies down at at 3Band MMA ($800/week) inform us that Ruas has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Ruas looking for the choke but no joy.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ruas is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Araujo defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Carlos Ruas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Carlos Ruas's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ruas lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Araujo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice straight punches there by Ruas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ruas.
Araujo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Araujo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ruas tries to avoid it but Araujo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ruas to the ground. Ruas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Araujo needs to keep his hands up - Ruas had a free shot at his head there.

Araujo looking to score a takedown here. Ruas is defending well but Araujo drives through and ends up in Ruas's guard.
Araujo postures up in Ruas's guard and throws a big left but Ruas blocks it.
Araujo is pushing down on Ruas's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ruas is fighting to maintain full guard but Araujo has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruas manages to get to full guard.
Ruas wants to sweep but no luck.
Araujo slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruas moves into full guard.
Araujo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ruas's head.

That has opened up Carlos Ruas's cut even more.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ruas is on top in guard.

Araujo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Araujo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ruas tries to free his leg and advance position but Araujo is retaining full guard.
Ruas passes into half guard.
Araujo tries to get to full guard but Ruas has control of the leg.
Araujo trying to hold on to Ruas's head to control him but Ruas postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Araujo actively working from the bottom here.
Ruas uses his free foot to push down on Araujo's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Araujo.
Araujo tries to lock up and control but Ruas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Araujo gets back to half guard.
Ruas is keen to just control but Araujo is a slippery customer.
Ruas wants to pass the guard but Araujo is defending well.
Araujo wants to get back to full guard.
Ruas is pressing down on Araujo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Araujo is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ruas's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ruas's back!

Ruas defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Araujo's arms.
Araujo controlling well, preventing Ruas from escaping the position.
Araujo controls the action.

Ruas preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Araujo.
Ruas turns into Araujo and is now in his guard.
Araujo keeping full guard, as Ruas tries to pass.
Ruas passes Araujo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Araujo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are battling for position here. Araujo manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ruas wants to pass the guard but Araujo is keeping the position.

Araujo has an active guard here but Ruas has managed to pass into half guard.
Araujo is refusing to be controlled, as Ruas sits in half guard.
Araujo is trying to maintain the position but Ruas is very close to passing his half guard.
Araujo is not content to let Ruas control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Carlos Ruas just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Carlos Ruas's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ruas slips under a jab from Araujo.
Ruas with the counter takedown but Araujo avoids it easily.
Araujo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ruas pinned against the cage. Ruas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ruas misses with a hook.
Araujo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Araujo needs to keep his hands up - Ruas had a free shot at his head there.
The fighters circling - Ruas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Araujo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ruas was covering up waiting for the punch and Araujo finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ruas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Araujo wants to control from the top but Ruas keeps moving.
Ruas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Araujo is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Araujo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ruas thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Araujo trying to control but Ruas is working from the bottom.
Ruas looking for a sweep. Not yet Ruas, not yet.
Ruas keeping moving, preventing Araujo from controlling successfully.
Ruas keeping full guard, as Araujo tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ruas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ruas is on top in guard.

Araujo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ruas looking to pass the guard.

Araujo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ruas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Araujo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ruas defends it easily.
Ruas postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruas trying to control the position from guard on top but Araujo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ruas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Araujo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ruas pushing down on Araujo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ruas wants to pass to mount but Araujo is defending the position.
Araujo is looking for a sweep. Ruas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Araujo trying to hold on to Ruas's head to control him but Ruas postures up.
Ruas uses his free foot to push down on Araujo's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Araujo.
Araujo is desperately trying to improve his position but Ruas has a good base and remains in mount.
Araujo manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Ruas passes to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ruas thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ruas is looking to take a break and control but Araujo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Araujo is trying to improve his position.
Ruas tries to advance to mount but can't.
Ruas wants to control but Araujo is keeping him busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Araujo is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Ruas dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Carlos Ruas's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ruas connects with a looping right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Araujo.
Ruas waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Araujo.
Ruas scores with a nice strike.
Ruas stuffs the takedown.
Araujo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ruas throws out the jab.
Araujo appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Araujo throws a body shot but no joy.

Araujo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Araujo blocks an elbow strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruas lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Araujo misses with some punches.
Ruas throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Araujo is trying to drag Ruas to the mat but Ruas 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 Thiago Araujo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice elbow from Ruas.

It looks like Thiago Araujo has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruas misses with an elbow over the top.
Araujo can't find room to land a body shot as Ruas controls the action.
Ruas lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Araujo backwards.
Ruas gets underhooks to prevent Araujo's takedown attempt.
Araujo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ruas to keep the fight standing.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Ruas taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Ruas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Araujo tries for a takedown but Ruas sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ruas is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ruas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Araujo was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruas.
The fighters circling - Ruas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Araujo feinted with a counter takedown.

Ruas scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Ruas thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Araujo is not content to let Ruas control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo tries to buck Ruas off but Ruas is having none of it.
Araujo is working hard here to advance position.
Ruas tries to advance to mount but can't.
Araujo is looking for a sweep.
Ruas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Araujo keeps working.
Araujo is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ruas off and has taken his back!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Araujo trying to control momentarily.

Araujo looking for the choke from the back.
Ruas turns into Araujo and is now in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Araujo has his foot on Ruas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ruas works his way back into a safe position though.
Ruas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ruas slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Araujo is looking to reverse the position.
Araujo striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Araujo wants to control but Ruas postures up.
Araujo is looking to regain half guard here but Ruas keeps moving and retains side control.
Ruas has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Ruas wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Araujo is squirming around, avoiding Ruas's attempts to control the action.

Ruas wants to finish this one by submission but Araujo is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ruas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Araujo sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Ruas moves nicely into side control.
Araujo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ruas's best efforts.
Ruas looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ruas trying to control the action but Araujo is working from the bottom.
Araujo moves into full guard.
Ruas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Araujo is keeping the position for now.
Thiago Araujo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carlos Ruas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ruas is still trying to improve position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Ruas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ruas 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 46:49
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Ruas!
Carlos Ruas is the new heavyweight champion!