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Candlekeep PBP Commentary |
Main event
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Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randall Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the ring accompanied by Afraid to Shoot Strangers. Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!
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195 cm
32
267 lbs
24 - 6 - 0 |
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180 cm
27
199 lbs
16 - 11 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick |
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ADCC Champion
Good low kicks
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world! Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of
24 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Randall Johnson! And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Rua! The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Rua thuds a left hand into Johnson's body. Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Alex Rua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. Rua throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily. Rua uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Rua throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johnson on the side of the head. Johnson tries to clinch but Rua moves out of range. Johnson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rua misses with a looping right. Rua connects with a body shot. Rua avoids a kick to the body.
Johnson is breathing heavily. Rua cracks Johnson with a right hand to the side of the head. Rua misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rua, as that shot connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Johnson misses with a body kick. Rua scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
That's one minute gone in the round. Rua with a body punch. A glancing blow. Alex Rua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs. Johnson shoots in but Rua avoids the takedown attempt easily. Rua connects with an inside leg kick. Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch. A jab lands there for Rua. Rua ducks down and throws a hook to the body. Rua misses with an uppercut. Johnson takes one to the side of the head.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming. An inside leg kick lands from Rua. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Rua misses with a head kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rua darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Rua scores with a nice strike. Rua scores with a shot to the body.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd cheers as Rua lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though. That kick from Rua tenderised Johnson's leg. Johnson is trying to keep his angry face on. Rua throws a nice inside leg kick. Rua throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range. Rua is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johnson. Good exchange - Rua coming out on top. Rua tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Rua. Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Johnson tries to move into range but Rua moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand. Rua throws a leg kick but Johnson checks it.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Johnson tries to land a body kick and Rua counters with a leg kick. Rua throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully. Rua lands a head shot. Rua lands with a straight right. Johnson didn't see that one coming. Good shot there by Rua. Rua lands a nice looking body shot.
Rua misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rua lands with a hook. Johnson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head. Johnson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rua. Rua connects with a solid leg kick. Rua throws a quick inside leg kick. Rua throws a head kick that Johnson semi-blocks.
That's four minutes gone in the round. 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! Rua fakes a jab and scores with a low kick. Rua takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away. Rua scoring well with a low kick there.
Nice uppercut there from Rua. Rua misses the jab. Rua misses with an uppercut. Johnson saw that one coming. Rua fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Johnson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage. Rua scores with a body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Rua. Rua throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that. Rua dips down and scores with a jab to the body. Rua 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.
Rua takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
That's five minutes gone in the round. Johnson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. Rua moves into range and connects with a jab. Johnson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Rua. Good exchange - Rua coming out on top. Johnson tries to land a leg kick but Rua saw it coming and moves away.
Rua is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Johnson had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté. Rua lands a head kick. Johnson smiles back at him and beckons him forward. Rua slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range. A big right from Rua misses. Rua connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Johnson's hands. A shot to the liver by Rua. Beautiful body shot. Johnson takes a shot right to the bread basket. Rua fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johnson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
That's six minutes gone in the round. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Rua lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range. Johnson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight. Rua dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Johnson. That did some damage! Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Rua. Rua throws a quick inside leg kick. Johnson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head. Johnson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A jab from Rua misses. Rua lands with an overhand left. Johnson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Rua lands a jab to the head.
Rua lands a jab to Johnson's midsection. Rua misses with a straight left.
That's seven minutes gone in the round. Johnson takes one to the chin there. Rua throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson. Rua lands a jab. A jab from Rua finds it's way through Johnson's defenses. That kick from Rua tenderised Johnson's leg. Johnson is trying to keep his angry face on. Rua throws a nice head kick!
Rua buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rua scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Johnson doesn't seem bothered though. Johnson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross. Rua cracks Johnson with an open hand slap. A good leg kick by Rua.
That's eight minutes gone in the round. Rua lands with a slapping head kick. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Rua throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rua. A shot to the liver by Rua. Beautiful body shot. Johnson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards. Good exchange - Rua coming out on top. Rua scores with a body shot.
Rua keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rua moves into range and lands a nice leg kick. Rua jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Johnson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rua. Johnson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
That's nine minutes gone in the round. Rua cracks the inside of Johnson's front leg. A nice inside leg kick there by Rua. That's going to slow Johnson down. Rua takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away. Johnson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving. Rua connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Johnson momentarily.
Rua scores with a hook. Johnson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rua. Rua scores with a nice body kick.
Rua throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action! Rua throws a big shot that misses. Rua punishes Johnson's body with a nice straight punch. Rua fakes a head shot and lands one to the body. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Alex Rua dominated that round. The cut man is working on Randall Johnson's cut. The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Johnson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rua. Rua throws a chopping leg kick but Johnson manages to avoid taking any serious damage. We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Rua 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. Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rua, as that shot connected.
An inside leg kick lands from Rua. Johnson throws a leg kick but Rua checks it. Johnson walks into a stiff left hand from Rua. Rua lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rua lands with an uppercut that bounces Johnson off the ropes and back into range. Rua moves out of range of the body kick. Johnson wants to clinch up but Rua keeps it at a distance. Alex Rua seems to be getting the better of the standup. Rua throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson. Rua looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here. A jab lands there for Rua.
That's one minute gone in the round. Rua wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection. Rua has been the more effective fighter overall so far. Rua throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Rua dips to his left and cracks Johnson with an uppercut! Johnson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rua to score with a decent uppercut. Johnson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming. Rua lands with a right hand. Johnson misses with a body kick. Johnson blocks a jab. A decent looking cross lands there for Rua. A jab lands there for Rua. The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky. Johnson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rua. Rua lands with a nice body punch.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. Rua throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. Rua fakes a head shot and lands one to the body. Rua keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rua lands with a shot to the body. This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Johnson might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far. Rua scores with a jab to the head.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming. Johnson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rua checks it well. Rua throws a push kick but Johnson slaps the foot to one side. Rua lands a really nice looking cross but Johnson seems unphased.
Rua lands a jab to the head.
A good leg kick by Rua.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Rua thumps Johnson with a low kick. Rua lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rua connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt. Johnson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming. Rua dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Johnson. That did some damage! Rua works Johnson's body with a nice hook. Rua fakes a jab and then connects with a hook. Good shot there by Rua. Rua with a body punch. A glancing blow. Rua digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
Rua scores with a punch to the head. Johnson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Rua misses with a looping left. Rua thows a left - swing and a miss! Rua thows a body kick. Johnson tries to catch it but that hurt him. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Johnson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it. Johnson on the wrong end of a nice jab. Rua bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Johnson's head. Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Rua. Rua lands a glancing blow to the side of Johnson's head. Rua scores with a body shot.
Johnson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rua. Rua scores with a nice body kick.
Johnson walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rua.
That's five minutes gone in the round. Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rua throws out the jab. Rua cracks Johnson with an open hand slap. Rua throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Johnson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness. Johnson will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body. Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rua connects with a leg kick. Johnson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it. Rua scores with a nice right hand.
Rua misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body. An inside leg kick from Rua misses. Johnson takes one to the side of the head.
That's six minutes gone in the round. Rua connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head. Rua lands with a right hand. Rua throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson. Johnson checks a leg kick. Rua clobbers Johnson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise. Rua throws a nice inside leg kick. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Johnson walks into a stiff left hand from Rua. Rua waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson. Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Rua. Johnson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush. Rua connects with the punch. Johnson 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.
That's seven minutes gone in the round. Rua lands a really nice looking cross but Johnson seems unphased.
Johnson throws a wild body kick that Rua sees coming a mile off. Rua connects with a crisp jab. Rua throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson. Rua throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Johnson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly. Rua blocks a head kick by Johnson.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Rua. Rua throws a nice inside leg kick. Rua feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Johnsons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist! Rua misses the jab. Rua lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
That's eight minutes gone in the round. Nice uppercut there from Rua. Johnson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rua throws a shot to the body.
Rua throws a head kick that half lands.
Johnson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face. Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. Rua lands with a hook. Johnson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head. Rua throws a big shot that misses. Johnson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rua's sensitive parts. Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rua. Rua bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut. Rua scores with a jab.
That's nine minutes gone in the round. Johnson scores with a push kick. Rua stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush. Rua with a body punch. A glancing blow. Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Rua counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body. Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rua.
Johnson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it. Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rua scores with a jab. Good exchange - Rua coming out on top. As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action. Rua thows a left - swing and a miss! Rua lands a nice leg kick that just misses Johnson's sensitive parts. Rua throws a good cross that connects.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Alex Rua showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards. The cut man is working on Randall Johnson's cut. Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Rua scores with a slapping inside leg kick. Rua is looking to slow Johnson down with leg kicks. Johnson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so. Rua throws a quick inside leg kick. Rua misses with a left hand and Johnson counters with a good, hard body kick but Rua shrugs it off. Rua misses with a straight right. A jab from Rua does it's job there. Nice shot by Rua. Rua smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button. Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson. A shot to the liver by Rua. Beautiful body shot. Both fighters are breathing heavily. Rua connects with a single shot there.
That's one minute gone in the round. Rua scores with a spinning back kick! Johnson throws a wild body kick that Rua sees coming a mile off. Johnson drops his hands momentarily and Rua takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head. Rua scores with a jab to the head.
Rua smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button. Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Rua paws at him with a jab and circles away. Johnson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rua, as that shot connected.
Johnson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it. Johnson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Johnson throws a push kick but Rua slaps the foot to one side.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Johnson slips under a jab. Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rua finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head. Rua lands a body shot.
Rua cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs. Rua lands with a thumping leg kick.
Johnson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
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! Rua goes for a spinning back kick but it misses. Johnson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rua is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johnson. Rua throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily. Rua lands a jab to the nose.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Rua thows a left - swing and a miss! Rua avoids a kick to the body.
Rua circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rua slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range. Rua throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Rua. A punch lands to the side of Johnson 's head but he takes it in his stride. Johnson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rua throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it. Rua connects with a body shot that sends Johnson's belly button to the back. Johnson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Rua fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Johnson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage. Rua misses with a kick to the body.
Rua ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away. Rua misses with an uppercut. Rua connects with a leg kick. Johnson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it. This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rua. Rua jabs Johnson to the body, keeping him at a distance. Rua tries to sprawl but Johnson drives through with a takedown into half guard. We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Johnson trying to control from half guard but Rua is working away. Rua wants to get back to his feet.
That's five minutes gone in the round. Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Rua is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard. Rua kicks off Johnson and gets to his feet. Rua scores with a jab to the head.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. Rua lands a head kick!
Johnson drops his hands momentarily and Rua takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
That's six minutes gone in the round. A swing and a miss from Rua. Rua scores with a crisp jab that stopped Johnson in his tracks. Johnson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rua manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage. Rua kicks Johnson off and gets to his feet. Rua lands a nice hook to Johnson's body. Johnson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes. 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! Rua works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance. Johnson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
That's seven minutes gone in the round. Johnson jumps guard.
Rua stands up from guard. Let's bang! The fighters circle momentarily. Rua darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch. Rua pushing out the jab but it's not landing. Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rua finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head. Johnson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot. Rua tries to land a front kick but Johnson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed. Nice straight punches there by Rua. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rua. Rua throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily. Rua throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.
That's eight minutes gone in the round. Johnson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him. A chopping leg kick lands by Rua. Rua throws a head kick that misses. Johnson slips a straight right by Rua. Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way. Rua misses with a body kick. Johnson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh. A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Rua throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena. Rua sizes up Johnson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle. Johnson takes a kick to the side of the head.
That's nine minutes gone in the round. Rua scores with a decent looking hook. Rua lands a jab to Johnson's midsection. Johnson moves forwards but Rua connects with a nice, crisp jab. Rua's corner calls for a 1-2. Rua obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range. Rua lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh. Nice sprawl there from Rua as Johnson shoots in. Rua connects with a looping right hand.
Rua uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react. As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action. Rua throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rua cracks Johnson with a right hand to the side of the head. Rua lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Alex Rua really dominated that round. The cut man is working on Randall Johnson's cut. OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Rua lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise. Rua cracks Johnson with a good jab. Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Rua pushes him off. Johnson throws the kick towards the body but Rua avoids it. Jab by Rua. Rua feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Johnson's calf. Rua ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent. Rua throws a shot to the body.
Rua lands a nice looking kick to the body. Johnson takes a step back to recover. Johnson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Johnson there as he acknowledges the shot. It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over. Johnson walks into a left hand.
That's one minute gone in the round. Rua throws a nice head kick!
Rua bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Johnson's head backwards. Rua ducks down and throws a hook to the body. Rua scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business. Rua scores with a head kick. Johnson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time. Rua stuffs the takedown. Rua lands a glancing blow to the side of Johnson's head. A slapping leg kick lands for Rua.
Rua connects with an inside leg kick. Rua scores with a punch to the head. Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rua.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Nice shot lands for Rua. Rua throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd. Rua lands with a good body shot. Johnson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles. The crowd cheers as Rua lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though. We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Johnson needs to keep his hands up - Rua had a free shot at his head there. Rua throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson. Rua cracks Johnson with a right hand to the side of the head. Rua throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena. Rua throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Johnson sees it coming and avoids it easily. Rua misses with a body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Nice defenses there by Johnson. Rua lands with a thumping leg kick.
Johnson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it. Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rua is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Rua circles away and we're back to standing. Johnson drops his hands momentarily and Rua takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head. Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rua, right into the meat.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Rua circles away.
Rua fakes a jab and then connects with a hook. Rua connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Johnson's hands. Rua lands a lovely overhand right. Rua feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Johnson's calf.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Rua throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Rua connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son. Rua waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson. Good standup being displayed there by Rua as he connects with a hook. Rua wants to land a leg kick but Johnson is out of range. Rua bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Johnson's head backwards. Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rua.
Rua tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Johnson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Johnson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere. Rua lands a nice looking body shot.
That's five minutes gone in the round. A head kick misses from Johnson. Rua throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot. Rua lands a slapping body shot.
Johnson slips a jab from Rua. Rua fakes a jab and scores with a low kick. Rua lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Johnson at a distance.
Johnson tries to clinch up. Rua throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land. Rua lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Rua keeps it at a distance. Johnson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
That's six minutes gone in the round. Rua thows a left - swing and a miss! Rua connects with a leg kick. Johnson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it. Johnson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him. Rua changes levels and scores with a jab to the body. Rua lands with a good body shot. Johnson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot. Johnson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rua. Rua cracks Johnson with a good jab. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Rua lands a jab to the nose. Rua scores with a hook to the body. Johnson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath. Rua connects with a leg kick. Johnson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it. Rua lands a head shot.
That's seven minutes gone in the round. Rua throws a quick inside leg kick. Rua scores with a decent looking hook. Johnson throws a leg kick that misses. Rua throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it. Rua missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one. Rua thows a left - swing and a miss! Rua with a body punch. A glancing blow. Rua throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily. Rua lands with a shot to the body. Rua with a hook. Rua is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
That's eight minutes gone in the round. Johnson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him. A slapping leg kick lands for Rua.
Johnson misses with a body kick. Rua scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business. Rua comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range. An inside leg kick lands from Rua. Rua connects with a body shot. 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! Johnson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rua. That one must have hurt. Johnson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness. Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rua, right into the meat.
Good leg kick by Rua there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
That's nine minutes gone in the round. Rua lands a nice looking body shot.
Rua lands with a right hand. Rua scores with a crisp jab that stopped Johnson in his tracks. Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rua uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook. Rua throws out a loose jab but Johnson uses good head movement to avoid it. Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Rua. Nice uppercut there from Rua. As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action. Rua throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it. Rua feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down. Johnson needs to keep his hands up - Rua had a free shot at his head there. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Alex Rua dominated that fourth round. The cut man is working on Randall Johnson's cut. Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!
Rua dips down and scores with a jab to the body. Rua connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt. Johnson takes a kick to the side of the head. Rua misses with a looping right. Johnson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh. Rua circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rua throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Rua connects with a crisp jab. Rua lands a jab. Rua looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range. Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt. Rua jabs Johnson right on the nose. Johnson blinks but takes it well.
That's one minute gone in the round. Johnson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rua swivels and escapes. Rua lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected. Rua scores with the left hand. Johnson knows he should have avoided that one. Johnson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rua to score with a decent uppercut. Rua keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl. Rua looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rua tests Johnson's chin there with a solid looking shot. Johnson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him. Rua cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Rua misses with a head kick.
Johnson walks into a straight right hand from Rua. Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rua can pounce on him.
Rua moves out of range as Johnson throws a body kick.
Rua lands with a nice body punch. Rua connects with an inside leg kick. Rua misses with a body shot.
Johnson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rua sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet. That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randall Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him. Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. Rua lands a jab to the head.
Rua lands a body shot.
Rua misses with a body kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Rua lands the left hand. Rua connects with a nice looking jab.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rua paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button. Rua lands a head kick!
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch. Rua moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot. Rua walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Johnson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side. Rua throws a body kick but he wasn't in range. Johnson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Rua clobbers Johnson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise. A swing and a miss from Rua. Rua cracks Johnson with a good jab. Rua feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down. A jab from Rua finds it's way through Johnson's defenses. Johnson ducks right into an uppercut from Rua. Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rua is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Rua circles away and we're back to standing. Rua circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Rua jabbing away but nothing is landing. Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way. Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rua.
Jab from Rua.
That's five minutes gone in the round. Rua with a hook. Johnson has a takedown stuffed. Rua explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work. Rua works the jab nicely. Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rua, right into the meat.
Rua scores with a hook to the body. Johnson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath. Johnson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A cross from Rua lands. Rua paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
That's six minutes gone in the round. Johnson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Rua moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot. Rua looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range. Johnson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rua, right into the meat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Rua throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body. Rua lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rua connects with a good right hand that stumbles Johnson. Johnson circles away out of range and recomposes himself. Johnson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rua. Johnson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him. Rua lands a leg kick that knocks Johnson off balance momentarily.
That's seven minutes gone in the round. A nice inside leg kick there by Rua. That's going to slow Johnson down. Rua stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush. Johnson takes one on the button. Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Rua shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet. Rua cracks Johnson with a right hand to the side of the head. Johnson takes a shot right to the bread basket. Rua jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rua. That's going to slow Johnson down. Rua scores with a kick to the midsection. Rua throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily. Rua with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
That's eight minutes gone in the round. Johnson tries for a takedown but Rua sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily. Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rua slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range. Rua throws a shot to the body.
Johnson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Rua throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily. Rua looks to land a body kick but Johnson moved away. A lazy left from Rua finds it's target. Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson tries to clinch but Rua is having none of it. Rua lands a nice hook to Johnson's body. Johnson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
That's nine minutes gone in the round. Johnson defending well as Rua loads up on a big left hand. Rua feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Johnson's calf. Rua misses with a straight right. Rua jabbing away but nothing is landing. Rua fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it. Rua throws the kick towards the body but Johnson avoids it. Rua connects with a single shot there. Rua throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd. As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action. Rua lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent. Rua dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Johnson. That did some damage! Randall Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! Johnson throws a body kick the misses and Rua makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Johnson really felt that one!
And that's the end of the fight! Alex Rua comfortably won the final round on my scorecard. I've got Rua winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 42:50 Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 42:50 Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 42:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Rua! Alex Rua is the new super heavyweight champion! In his post fight interview, Alex Rua started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
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S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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