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Stepping Stone 86 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 16 wins and 4 losses; Wanderlei Rua! And in the blue corner, fighting out of London, with a TWGC record of 7 wins and 12 losses; William Smyth!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Frank Dennis.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Rua moves into range and clinches up with Smyth.
Rua wants a takedown.
Rua is working for takedown but Smyth is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rua has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Rua is working for takedown but Smyth is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wanderlei Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smyth tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rua drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smyth tries to pull guard but Rua won't allow it.
Rua tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rua has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smyth avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Smyth is defending well against a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua goes for a takedown attempt but Smyth pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rua pushes Smyth up against the cage in a clinch.
Rua can't get the takedown.
Smyth has picked Rua up - he's going for a ride! Smyth dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Rua (0) vs (2) Smyth
That's one minute gone in the round.
Smyth is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Smyth trying to pass the guard but Rua defending well.
Smyth seems to be looking for submissions.
Smyth is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rua is just riding it out for now. Smyth eventually gives up the hold.
Smyth takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua is looking for a sweep. Smyth is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smyth is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rua is just riding it out for now. Smyth eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rua manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Smyth trying to control but Rua is working from the bottom.
Smyth might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rua haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Smyth is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rua is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rua has escaped and now he's on top! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Rua (2) vs (2) Smyth
Rua's corner is telling him to maintain position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smyth looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rua passes into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Rua (5) vs (2) Smyth
Rua will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Smyth is trying to control Rua's posture but Rua avoids it.
Rua tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua just content to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smyth looks to move to half guard but instead Rua has passed into mount! Damn! Score +2 for reaching mount: Rua (7) vs (2) Smyth
Rua avoids the attempt from Smyth to control.
Smyth working to try and regain half guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rua wants to take his opponent's back but Smyth doesn't allow it.
Rua looking to control and managing it successfully.
Rua's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Rua has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Smyth is controlling an arm, preventing Rua from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Rua controlling from the full mount.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Smyth tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Smyth tries to lock up and control but Rua gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rua with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Smyth can't escape the position.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rua controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Smyth is working to get back to half guard.
Smyth slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Smyth moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Smyth looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rua sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rua avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rua is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Smyth is looking for a triangle but Rua pushes his legs off easily.
Rua sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rua wants to pass the guard but Smyth is keeping the position.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Rua is stalling in the full guard.
Smyth is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rua slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Rua (10) vs (2) Smyth
Rua slows the pace down.
Smyth is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Smyth is trying to work for a sweep but Rua has mounted him! Score +2 for reaching mount: Rua (12) vs (2) Smyth
Smyth is wriggling around trying to escape.
Rua takes Smyth's back. Score +3 for taking back: Rua (15) vs (2) Smyth
Rua controls the action.
Smyth wants to escape the position.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Rua is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Rua not allowing Smyth to control his hands.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rua trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Smyth doesn't escape.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rua takes the fight on points by 15 to 2.
Wanderlei Rua thanked the fans post fight for their support. |
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