PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dimitri Buriak (ranked 767 p4p, 99 weight class) and Jon Rudskogen (ranked 709 p4p, 91 weight class). 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.

Buriak
vs
Rudskogen

187 cm
23
198 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

190 cm
23
190 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dimitri Buriak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jon Rudskogen!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Rudskogen.
Rudskogen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rudskogen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Buriak throws a hook but Rudskogen blocks it.
Buriak lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Buriak misses with a low kick.
Rudskogen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Buriak.
Rudskogen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rudskogen looks for the body kick but Buriak saw that one coming.
Buriak appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Rudskogen connects with a leg kick. Buriak looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Buriak connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rudskogen momentarily.
Rudskogen defending well as Buriak loads up on a big left hand.
Buriak swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Buriak throws a body punch but Rudskogen moves out of range.
Rudskogen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Buriak manages to avoid it.
Buriak is looking to counter punch.
Rudskogen staying out of range there.
Nice body kick there by Rudskogen.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rudskogen is looking to score with low kicks.
Buriak cracks a nice hook into Rudskogen's ribs.
The fighters circling - Rudskogen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rudskogen throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Buriak counter with a right hand.
Buriak looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Buriak throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Buriak ducks under a wild hook from Rudskogen.
Buriak lands the left hand.
Buriak throws out a loose jab but Rudskogen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rudskogen throws a body kick that misses.
A quick step to the side and Buriak tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Buriak lands with a cross.
Buriak throws a big shot that misses.
Rudskogen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Buriak misses with a hook.
Rudskogen throws a lazy right hand but Buriak sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Buriak throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Buriak scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rudskogen doesn't seem bothered though.
Buriak digs a good body shot into Rudskogen's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Buriak takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rudskogen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Buriak with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Buriak throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rudskogen misses with a body kick.
Rudskogen missing with a left hand there. Buriak was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jab, jab by Buriak - just one landing.
Buriak with a nice cross.
Buriak misses with a double jab.
A swing and a miss from Buriak.
Rudskogen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A punch lands to the side of Rudskogen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Buriak throws a jab but it's blocked by Rudskogen.
Rudskogen follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Buriak ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rudskogen moves away.
A swing and a miss from Buriak.
Buriak misses with a few strikes there.
Buriak fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Buriak avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Buriak throws a body punch but Rudskogen moves out of range.
Rudskogen misses with a left hand
and Buriak counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rudskogen throws the kick towards the body but Buriak avoids it.
Buriak connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rudskogen misses with an uppercut. Buriak saw that one coming.
Buriak lands a body shot.
Rudskogen swats away the attempt to clinch by Buriak.
Good standup being displayed there by Buriak as he connects with a hook.
Buriak missing with a left hand there. Rudskogen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rudskogen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Buriak lands a nice shot that snaps Rudskogen's head back.
Buriak moves into range and connects with a jab.
Buriak swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Buriak moves out of range of the body kick.
Rudskogen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Buriak throws a jab but it's blocked by Rudskogen.
Buriak thows a left - swing and a miss!
Buriak throws a body punch but Rudskogen moves out of range.
Rudskogen throws a predictable looking body shot
and Buriak counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Buriak throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buriak tries to close the distance and clinch but Rudskogen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rudskogen fakes the leg kick and cracks Buriak in the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Buriak. That snapped Rudskogen's head back.
Rudskogen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Buriak takes a swing at Rudskogen's ribcage but misses.
Buriak uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rudskogen.
Buriak is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Rudskogen scores with a sloppy right hand. Buriak should have avoided that one.
Rudskogen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The fighters circling - Buriak throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A punch lands to the side of Rudskogen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Buriak falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rudskogen counters with a nice leg kick.
Rudskogen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A telegraphed right hand from Buriak misses the target.
Rudskogen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Buriak misses with a looping left.
Rudskogen misses with a hook
and Buriak counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rudskogen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
It looked like Buriak wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Buriak misses the shot to the body.
Rudskogen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rudskogen misses with a hook.
Buriak throws a hook to the side of Rudskogen's head but Rudskogen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rudskogen replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Buriak blocks it well.
Buriak smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rudskogen slips under a jab from Buriak.
Buriak takes one to the chin there.
Rudskogen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rudskogen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rudskogen misses with a left hand
and Buriak counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rudskogen thinking.
Buriak rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rudskogen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Buriak checks the leg kick.
Buriak misses with an uppercut. Rudskogen saw that one coming.
Some bone on bone action there as Buriak checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Buriak is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rudskogen can do to turn this around?
Rudskogen throws a leg kick
and Buriak makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Buriak scores with a body shot.
Buriak lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buriak changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Dimitri Buriak is winning the standup battle so far.
Rudskogen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Buriak.
Buriak connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Buriak misses with a body shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rudskogen.
Buriak lands with a shot to the body.
A shot to the liver by Buriak. Beautiful body shot.
Rudskogen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rudskogen tries to move into range but Buriak moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Buriak misses with a straight left.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rudskogen! But no joy.
Rudskogen is looking to score with low kicks.
Rudskogen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Buriak throws out the jab.
Buriak lands with a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rudskogen needs to keep his hands up - Buriak had a free shot at his head there.
Rudskogen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Buriak's sensitive parts.
Crunch! Rudskogen slams his shin into Buriak's torso.
Rudskogen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Buriak's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rudskogen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Buriak throws a leg kick that is checked
and Rudskogen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rudskogen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Buriak.
Buriak misses with a wild body shot.
Buriak cracks Rudskogen with an open hand slap.
Buriak misses with a body shot.
Rudskogen misses with a body kick.
Buriak misses with a lunging right hand
and Rudskogen counters with a thumping low kick.
Buriak throws out a loose jab but Rudskogen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rudskogen is trying to counter with his kicks.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Rudskogen - that will leave a mark!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rudskogen is looking to land body kicks.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Buriak jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Buriak throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rudskogen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Buriak stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Buriak connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rudskogen. Rudskogen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Buriak looks to throw the jab but Rudskogen is out of range.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Rudskogen in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rudskogen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rudskogen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rudskogen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rudskogen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Buriak.
Buriak checks a leg kick.
Rudskogen keeps the fight on the outside.
Rudskogen throws out a loose jab but Buriak uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rudskogen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Buriak if he has to take too many more of those.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Rudskogen might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Buriak has got the better of the exchanges.
An inside leg kick from Rudskogen misses.
It looked like Buriak wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Buriak connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rudskogen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rudskogen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Buriak misses with a straight left.
Buriak will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
That kick from Rudskogen tenderised Buriak's leg. Buriak is trying to keep his angry face on.
Buriak throws a jab when Rudskogen was well out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Buriak misses with a looping right.
Buriak misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rudskogen lands a really nice looking cross but Buriak seems unphased.
Buriak ducks under a wild hook from Rudskogen.
Buriak gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rudskogen.
Rudskogen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rudskogen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Buriak in his tracks.
Rudskogen looks to land a left hand but Buriak moved out of range nicely.
Rudskogen throws a sloppy head kick
and Buriak counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Rudskogen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Buriak throws a big shot that misses.
Buriak takes a swing at Rudskogen's ribcage but misses.
Rudskogen is looking to land body kicks.
Rudskogen throws a low kick but Buriak avoids it.
A shot to the liver by Buriak. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Buriak checks a leg kick nicely.
Rudskogen connects with a leg kick. Buriak looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Buriak uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rudskogen has time to react.
Rudskogen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jon Rudskogen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Buriak wants to clinch
and Rudskogen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A combination from Rudskogen does no damage.
Rudskogen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Buriak.
Buriak thows a left - swing and a miss!
Buriak tries to clinch up but Rudskogen circles away and keeps his distance.
Rudskogen scores with a nice body kick.
Buriak throws a series of strikes that have Rudskogen backpedaling.
Buriak connects with a body shot that sends Rudskogen's belly button to the back.
An inside leg kick from Rudskogen misses.
Buriak seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rudskogen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rudskogen scores with a jab. Buriak acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rudskogen misses with a kick to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rudskogen misses with a low kick.
Rudskogen throws a low kick but Buriak avoids it.
Rudskogen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Buriak's calf.
Rudskogen slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rudskogen misses with a low kick.
Buriak throws a hook to the side of Rudskogen's head but Rudskogen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Buriak throws a hook but Rudskogen avoids it easily.
Buriak connects with a single shot there.
Rudskogen misses with a kick to the body.
Rudskogen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rudskogen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rudskogen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Buriak.
Buriak is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rudskogen throws out a loose jab but Buriak uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rudskogen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Buriaks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Buriak walks into a left hand.
Buriak connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rudskogen misses with a left hand

and Buriak counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Rudskogen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rudskogen cracks Buriak with a nice body shot.
Rudskogen trying to control the position but instead, Buriak has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rudskogen into the ropes.
Jon Rudskogen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rudskogen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice left hand lands by Rudskogen.
A body shot lands from Rudskogen.
Rudskogen blocks an uppercut.
Rudskogen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Buriak blocks an uppercut.
Buriak tries to work over Rudskogen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Buriak lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Buriak cracks Rudskogen with a nice body shot.
Buriak lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rudskogen scores with a shot to the side of Buriak's head.
Rudskogen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Buriak lands a hook that snaps the head of Rudskogen backwards.
Buriak tries to throw a body punch but Rudskogen avoids it by throwing Buriak back against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buriak tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rudskogen's elbow.
Buriak misses with a punch to the body.
Rudskogen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rudskogen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Good body shot from Buriak.
A nice right hand lands inside from Buriak.
Buriak tries a body shot but Rudskogen blocks it.
Rudskogen misses with a punch to the body.
Rudskogen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Buriak.
Rudskogen misses with a hook to the ribs.
A shot in the inside from Rudskogen.
Rudskogen avoiding damage as Buriak throws knees to the body.
Buriak throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rudskogens head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rudskogen has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Buriak seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Rudskogen can turn it around.
Rudskogen swings wildly with an uppercut but Buriak uses good head movement to avoid it.
Buriak lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rudskogen prevents a body shot from Buriak.
A right hand to the body from Buriak.
Buriak tries to work over Rudskogen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Buriak tries to work over Rudskogen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rudskogen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rudskogen struggles to land a body shot inside as Buriak controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Buriak.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Buriak blocks a body shot from Rudskogen.
Rudskogen struggles to land a body shot inside as Buriak controls his hands.
Rudskogen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rudskogen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Buriak scores with a nice hook to the head.
Buriak prevents a body shot from Rudskogen.
Buriak lands a left hand.
Rudskogen tries a body shot but Buriak blocks it.
Buriak stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rudskogen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Buriak backwards.
Dimitri Buriak is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Buriak makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

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 Dimitri Buriak.
Well Buriak 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Dimitri Buriak!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Dimitri Buriak!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Dimitri Buriak!

Dimitri Buriak wins by unanimous decision!
After the fight, Dimitri Buriak was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.