PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Rutherford (ranked 951 p4p, 132 weight class) and Randy Miller (ranked 957 p4p, 134 weight class). Miller comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Who Was In My Room Last Night by Butthole Surfers kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Randy Miller was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Rutherford
vs
Miller

187 cm
39
190 lbs
25 - 25 - 0

185 cm
31
202 lbs
19 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 25 - 25 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thomas Rutherford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Randy Miller!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller slips under a jab.
Rutherford chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Miller swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rutherford falls off balance throwing a combination
and Miller makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Rutherford really felt that one!
Miller has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Miller has managed to clinch.
Miller throws a knee to the head but misses.
Miller pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Rutherford manages to break the clinch.
Miller throws a lazy right hand but Rutherford sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rutherford throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rutherford moves out of range of the strikes.
A jab lands there for Miller.
Miller connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Miller waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rutherford.
Miller is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Miller tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rutherford manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Miller takes a kick to the side of the head.
That kick from Miller tenderised Rutherford's leg. Rutherford is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford misses with a hook.
Miller stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rutherford.
Miller throws a lazy uppercut
and Rutherford counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rutherford blocks a jab.
Rutherford tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rutherford misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rutherford ducks under a wild hook from Miller.
Rutherford seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rutherford fails to land with a series of punches.
Rutherford pivots, looking for a leg kick but Miller is out of range and Rutherford settles back down.
Rutherford throws a half hearted mid kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Miller misses.
Miller misses with a hook.
Miller wants to clinch
and Rutherford counters with a left and a right that stings Miller.
We've been told by Rutherford's head coaches at Big Bear Fight Factory that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Miller is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Miller clinches up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rutherford is trying to break the clinch but Miller is controlling him.
Miller lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Miller throws a punch but it's blocked by Rutherford.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Miller.
Miller taking a breather.
Miller blocks a body shot from Rutherford.
Miller stalling against the cage.
Rutherford lands a nice uppercut.
Miller lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Rutherford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Miller looks to land a right hand but Rutherford moved out of range.
Miller connects with a right hand. Rutherford shakes it off.
Good work by Rutherford as he checks the leg kick.
Rutherford takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Miller loads up on a big right hand but Rutherford slips the punch.
Good exchange - Miller coming out on top.
Miller lands with a shot to the body.
Miller feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Rutherfords jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Miller missing with a left hand there. Rutherford was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A slow jab from Miller misses its intended target.
Randy Miller is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rutherford looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Miller is fending him off so far but Rutherford persists. Nope, Miller circles away and we're back to standing.
Rutherford lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Miller backs up against the cage.

It looks like Randy Miller has been cut.
Miller thumps Rutherford with a low kick.
Miller misses with a wild body shot.
Rutherford will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Miller throws the left hand but Rutherford avoids the punch easily.
Rutherford sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Rutherford throws a one two combo.
Rutherford misses with a double jab
and Miller cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rutherford moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rutherford shoots in for a double leg but Miller sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Miller! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Rutherford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Miller throws a big shot that misses.
Rutherford lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rutherford swats away the attempt to clinch by Miller.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford scores with a head kick. Miller tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Miller throws a front kick aimed at Rutherford's knee but Rutherford avoids it well.
Rutherford lands with a nice combination. Miller backs away looking to recover.
Miller wants to clinch.
Rutherford does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Miller with a jab.
Rutherford takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Miller misses with a head kick.
Miller connects with a crisp jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rutherford gets a clinch.
Rutherford has had enough of the clinch but Miller keeps him there for the moment.
Rutherford wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Rutherford escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Randy Miller will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Randy Miller's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Miller cracks Rutherford with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rutherford misses with a low kick.
Rutherford throws a right and a left that Miller avoids nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Miller! But no joy.
Miller misses with a looping right.
Rutherford looks to land a combination. Miller sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Miller throws a low kick but Rutherford moves out of range easily.
Rutherford moves away from the strike by Miller.

Rutherford lands a big head kick that sends Miller tumbling to the mat! Rutherford takes a step backwards and waves Miller back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Miller is rocked!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nice jab there from Miller.
Miller is still on wobbly legs! Can Rutherford finish him?
Miller scores with a decent looking hook.
Miller seems to have recovered his senses.

Miller gets caught flat footed, as Rutherford shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Miller keeping moving, preventing Rutherford from controlling successfully.
Miller looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rutherford is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rutherford avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rutherford working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Miller's head.
Rutherford working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Miller's head.
Miller is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rutherford trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Miller manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Rutherford has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Miller throws a strike but Rutherford rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rutherford preventing the sweep.
Rutherford looking to pass the guard.
Rutherford pushing down on Miller's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller is staying active underneath Rutherford, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Miller wants to get back to full guard.
Miller has hold of Rutherford's hands but Rutherford slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rutherford wants to free his trapped foot but Miller is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rutherford working the head and body with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Miller is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rutherford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Miller keeps working.
Miller wants to improve his position but Rutherford is controlling well.
Rutherford scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Miller is looking for a sweep. Rutherford is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller manages to get to full guard.
Miller wants to sweep here but Rutherford controlling him for the moment.
Rutherford is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Miller is on top in guard.

Miller stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rutherford swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Rutherford is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Miller is aware though and is defending well.

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

Miller decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rutherford, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rutherford tries to score with a low kick but Miller moves his leg out of the way.
A jab from Miller misses.
Rutherford staying out of range there.
Good leg kick by Rutherford there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Miller is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rutherford.
Miller buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Miller tries to land a front kick but Rutherford steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rutherford takes one on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Miller displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rutherford.
Rutherford staying out of range there.
Rutherford thows a body kick. Miller tries to catch it but that hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Rutherford dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Randy Miller's cut.
That's time! Rutherford's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A nice leg kick lands there from Rutherford.
Rutherford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rutherford misses with the combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Miller misses the target.
Miller throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rutherford throws a nice outside leg kick.
Miller misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Miller lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Miller stuffs the takedown.
Rutherford pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Miller was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rutherford tries a head kick but it misses.
Miller throws a right and a left that both miss.
Miller misses with an uppercut.
Miller takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Thomas Rutherford is winning the standup battle so far.
Rutherford does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
It seemed like Miller was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Rutherford scores with a takedown into Miller's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller keeping moving, preventing Rutherford from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Miller looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rutherford looking to pass the guard.
Rutherford landing some decent shots from guard.
Rutherford passes Miller's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Miller slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two 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.
Rutherford advances to half guard.
Rutherford lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Rutherford is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Miller has managed to free his arm - good work.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rutherford lands a nice short elbow.
Rutherford trying to control from half guard but Miller is working away.
Miller is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rutherford seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Miller does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Miller tries to roll over but Rutherford keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller moves into full guard.
Rutherford's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Rutherford lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Miller looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rutherford is one step ahead there.
Rutherford trying to control but Miller is working from the bottom.
Miller bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rutherford's guard.

Miller throwing strikes but missing.
Miller preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller trying to move into half guard but instead Rutherford has managed to sweep!

Rutherford looking to sit in guard and control but Miller gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rutherford is trying to keep Miller in close.

Rutherford working for a triangle but Miller defends it easily.
Miller is looking to work some ground and pound but Rutherford has wrist control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Rutherford showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rutherford 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Rutherford!
After the big win, Thomas Rutherford made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Riner Clothing Everything for 50$ only and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
In defeat, Randy Miller stepped up to the mic, saying 'No one likes seeing their opponent's hand raised, but that just means that they were the better man today. My team at 3Band MMA and I will break down this match and make the proper changes for my next camp.'.