PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xander Colton (ranked 2857 p4p, 311 weight class) and Raanta Runtiringeni (ranked 2100 p4p, 237 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Colton
vs
Runtiringeni

183 cm
24
165 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
164 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Xander Colton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raanta Runtiringeni!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Chris Dean and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Runtiringeni drags the fight down to the ground.
Colton postures up in Runtiringeni's guard and throws a big left but Runtiringeni blocks it.
Colton wants to pass the guard but Runtiringeni is keeping the position.

Runtiringeni escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Colton gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Runtiringeni looking for a sweep. Not yet Runtiringeni, not yet.
Runtiringeni looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Colton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Runtiringeni is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Colton is aware though and is defending well.

Runtiringeni looking for subs off his back but Colton has passed one foot through into half guard.

Runtiringeni looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Colton not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runtiringeni tries to get to full guard but Colton has control of the leg.
Colton tries to pass the half guard into mount. Runtiringeni knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Colton working the head and body with strikes.

Colton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Runtiringeni looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Colton working over Runtiringeni with some ground and pound. Runtiringeni looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Runtiringeni taking some punishment here, with Colton in his half guard.
Colton wants to pass to mount but Runtiringeni is defending the position.

Colton is working for a kimura but Runtiringeni is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runtiringeni blocking the ground and pound attempt from Colton.

Colton 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.
Colton lands strikes from half guard.
Runtiringeni is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Colton moves into full mount! Runtiringeni won't be happy about that!
Runtiringeni is desperately trying to improve his position but Colton has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xander Colton dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Runtiringeni clinches up with Colton and pushes him back against the cage.
Runtiringeni is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Runtiringeni content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Runtiringeni has picked Colton up - he's going for a ride! Runtiringeni dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Runtiringeni thows a huge punch but Colton dodges it nicely.
Colton won't allow Runtiringeni to pass to mount.
Colton manages to get to full guard.

Runtiringeni drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Colton dives on top into guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Colton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Colton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Runtiringeni is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runtiringeni has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Runtiringeni is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Colton has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Colton!
Xander Colton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Colton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Colton working some strikes from top position.
Colton working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Runtiringeni has his foot on Colton's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Colton works his way back into a safe position though.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Runtiringeni is on top in guard.

Colton looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Runtiringeni is pushing down on Colton's leg trying to pass to half guard. Colton is fighting to maintain full guard but Runtiringeni has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Runtiringeni seems to be working for a kimura but Colton defends the submission attempt.

Runtiringeni wants to work for an arm triangle but Colton is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Runtiringeni is breathing heavily.

Colton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Runtiringeni 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.
Colton moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raanta Runtiringeni showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Runtiringeni gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Runtiringeni tightens his grip and picks Colton up, before dumping him to the ground. Colton manages to land in guard.

Runtiringeni drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Colton manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Runtiringeni has Colton in his guard.

Runtiringeni looking for a sweep. Not yet Runtiringeni, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Colton pushing down on Runtiringeni's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Colton is working for a kimura but Runtiringeni is defending it quite comfortably.

Colton is looking for a kimura but Runtiringeni is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Colton to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runtiringeni wants to improve his position but Colton is controlling well.

Runtiringeni looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Runtiringeni taking some punishment here, with Colton in his half guard.
Colton prevents Runtiringeni from improving his position.

Colton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Runtiringeni regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Colton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Colton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Runtiringeni is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Colton thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Colton lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Colton won't allow Runtiringeni to sweep him here.

Runtiringeni looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Runtiringeni takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Runtiringeni throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Colton stands and throws Runtiringeni's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Colton tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Colton landing strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xander Colton showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Colton has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xander Colton!