PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bas Rutten (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Javier Noriega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rutten
vs
Noriega

185 cm
22
212 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

187 cm
22
217 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bas Rutten!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Javier Noriega!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Luis Engracia and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Noriega stuffs the takedown attempt from Rutten. Rutten gets slowly back to his feet.
Rutten looks to land a combination but Noriega avoids it well.
Noriega throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Noriega scores with a takedown into Rutten's guard.
Noriega wants to control from the top but Rutten keeps moving.
Rutten wants to sweep here but Noriega controlling him for the moment.

Noriega is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Noriega trying to control but Rutten is working from the bottom.
Rutten throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Noriega makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noriega trying to control but Rutten is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rutten moves in looking to clinch but Noriega pushes him off.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Noriega.
Noriega cracks Rutten with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Noriega tries for a kimura but Rutten is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rutten is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rutten is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Noriega's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Noriega trying to control the action but Rutten is working from the bottom.
Noriega might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rutten kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noriega trying to pass the guard but Rutten defending well.

Noriega is working for a kimura but Rutten is defending it quite comfortably.
Rutten is breathing heavily.

Rutten looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Noriega is taking a breather. Rutten says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Noriega wants to take a breather but Rutten is having none of it.
Rutten wants to get back to his feet.
Noriega is thwarting Rutten's attempts to control the position.

Noriega is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rutten is just riding it out for now. Noriega eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Noriega working Rutten over with strikes.

Noriega is working for a kimura but Rutten is defending it quite comfortably.
Noriega is nestled in close to Rutten, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nice strikes from Noriega there.
Noriega is controlling the pace.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Noriega is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Rutten has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Noriega is keen to just control but Rutten is a slippery customer.

Noriega looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rutten trying to control but Noriega postures up.

Noriega wants to work for an arm triangle but Rutten is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Noriega is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Javier Noriega dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rutten gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rutten trying to stall but Noriega improves his position.
Noriega gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rutten.
Rutten with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Noriega jumps guard and drags Rutten to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Noriega working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rutten doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rutten manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Noriega has his feet on Rutten's thighs here. He's pushed Rutten off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Rutten screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Javier Noriega!