PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rick Segura (ranked 2376 p4p, 2682 weight class) and Vladimir Rurikovich (ranked 305 p4p, 339 weight class). Segura comes to the cage accompanied by Mystic Rick - Press Conference. 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.

Segura
vs
Rurikovich

183 cm
25
176
8 - 7 - 0

185 cm
26
184
7 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rick Segura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vladimir Rurikovich!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rurikovich is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Segura.
Segura tries to counter with a takedown but Rurikovich is quick to defend against it.
Segura swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rurikovich throws the left hand but Segura avoids the punch easily.

Segura gets a takedown into half guard.
Rurikovich felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Segura works his foot free and advances to mount.
Rurikovich working to try and regain half 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.
Segura can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rurikovich is looking to escape.
Segura lands a nice shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rurikovich bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Segura is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rurikovich is trying to get back to full guard.
Rurikovich is looking to control Segura's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rurikovich avoid being mounted?
Segura throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Segura prevents Rurikovich from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Segura missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Segura sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rurikovich defending well though.
Segura is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Segura throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Segura throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Segura trying to control the action but Rurikovich is working from the bottom.
Rurikovich keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rurikovich wants to improve his position but Segura is controlling well.
Segura seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rurikovich does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Segura missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rurikovich wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rurikovich gets back to full guard.
Segura wants to pass the guard but Rurikovich is keeping the position.
Segura throwing strikes but missing.
Segura postures up in Rurikovich's guard and throws a big left but Rurikovich blocks it.
Segura throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vladimir Rurikovich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Segura avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rurikovich takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Segura fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rurikovich sprawls well initially but Segura persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Rurikovich has one foot on Segura's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Rurikovich misses with a few strikes there.
Rurikovich takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Segura lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Segura throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Segura connects with a nice looking jab.
Segura gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rurikovich.
Rurikovich lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Rick Segura has been cut.
Rurikovich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rurikovich stuffs the takedown.
Rurikovich is looking for the big counter here.
Rurikovich works Segura's body with a nice hook.
Rurikovich misses with a wild body shot.
Rurikovich ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Rurikovich moves into the clinch.
Segura is looking to control Rurikovich's arms but Rurikovich gets an underhook and turns him. Now Segura has his back to the cage.

Segura tightens his grip and picks Rurikovich up, before dumping him to the ground. Rurikovich manages to land in guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rick Segura will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rick Segura's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Segura tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rurikovich swivels and escapes.
Segura with a poor takedown
and Rurikovich counters with a nice body shot.
Segura ducks under a wild hook from Rurikovich.
Segura catches Rurikovich with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rurikovich throws a leg kick but Segura checks it.
Segura gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Segura moves out of range of the strikes.

Rurikovich gets caught flat footed, as Segura shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rurikovich trying to control the position.
Rurikovich preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rurikovich utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rurikovich looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Segura in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Segura throwing strikes but missing.
Segura throws a big elbow that misses.
Rurikovich working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Segura.
Segura throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Segura takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A clash of legs there as Segura blocks the low kick.
Rurikovich just misses with a punch to the body.
Segura drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rurikovich sprawls and moves away.
Some wild striking there from Rurikovich.
A cross from Rurikovich lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rurikovich connects with the punch.
Rurikovich scores with a head kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rurikovich. That's going to slow Segura down.
Segura shoots in looking for a takedown but Rurikovich manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Segura's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Segura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Segura avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rurikovich works the jab nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rurikovich doesn't manage to clinch there - Segura circles away.
Rurikovich keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rurikovich tests Segura's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rurikovich throws a low kick but Segura moves out of range easily.
Segura slips a straight right by Rurikovich.
Rurikovich lands a nice hook to Segura's body. Segura takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Segura scores with a jab.
Rurikovich misses with an uppercut.
Segura feinted with a counter takedown.
Vladimir Rurikovich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rurikovich misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Segura.
Segura tries to counter with a takedown but Rurikovich is quick to defend against it.
Rurikovich jabs Segura to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rurikovich moves forwards but Segura connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Segura fails with a takedown attempt.
Segura cracks a nice hook into Rurikovich's ribs.
Nice sprawl there from Rurikovich as Segura shoots in.
Rurikovich scores with a sloppy right hand. Segura should have avoided that one.
Rurikovich fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rurikovich throws a body shot but no joy.
Segura appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Segura bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rurikovich's head backwards.
Rurikovich lands a glancing blow to the side of Segura's head.
Rurikovich takes a swing at Segura's ribcage but misses.
Rurikovich throws a leg kick that is checked

and Segura counters with a single leg into guard. Rurikovich didn't expect that.
Segura loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Segura stopping the sweep attempt from Rurikovich.
Segura wants to control from the top but Rurikovich keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Segura postures up in Rurikovich's guard and throws a big left but Rurikovich blocks it.
Segura is working Rurikovich over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Segura lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Segura scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rurikovich avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rurikovich keeping moving, preventing Segura from controlling successfully.
Rurikovich looking to control.
Rick Segura overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Segura wants to control from the top but Rurikovich keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Rurikovich showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rick Segura's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Segura fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rurikovich looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rurikovich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vladimir Rurikovich seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Segura lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Rurikovich throws a poor cross that misses

and Segura counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Segura is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Rurikovich is rocked!
Rurikovich has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Segura is working away from the top position though.
Segura prevents Rurikovich from standing back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rurikovich wants to get back to full guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Segura connects with a nice short shot to Rurikovich's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Segura winds up and cracks Rurikovich with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rurikovich is still in real trouble! Can Segura finish him?
Segura scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Segura lands with a punch from half guard.
Segura uses his free foot to push down on Rurikovich's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Rurikovich.
Rurikovich holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Segura tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Segura with a couple of short strikes.
Segura pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Segura scoring with strikes but Rurikovich is staying in there.
Segura unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Rurikovich wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Segura celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rick Segura!
An out of breath Rick Segura thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
In defeat, Vladimir Rurikovich stepped up to the mic, saying 'I challenge Andy Down come up here and suck my cock right now. C'mon big boy, we all know it won't be your first.'.