PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Rusev (ranked 1966 p4p, 2035 weight class) and Kai Leilua (ranked 265 p4p, 270 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Rusev
vs
Leilua

170 cm
22
174
7 - 5 - 0

185 cm
22
174
6 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alexander Rusev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kai Leilua!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rusev.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Leilua.
Leilua scores with a sloppy right hand. Rusev should have avoided that one.
Leilua cracks Rusev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Leilua's coach down at Combat Wombat Burrow was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Leilua's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Rusev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Leilua rushes Rusev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rusev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Leilua working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rusev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Leilua smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Rusev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rusev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leilua as he avoids it easily.

Rusev gets tackled into the cage by Leilua. Leilua maintains the clinch.
A short uppercut from Leilua.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rusev tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Leilua just stands there and leans against the cage.
Leilua lands a shoulder strike.
Rusev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Leilua lands a right hand.
Rusev jumps guard but Leilua turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Leilua scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Rusev has hold of one of Leilua's legs. Leilua is fighting the takedown attempt but Rusev gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Leilua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rusev postures up.
Rusev stopping the sweep attempt from Leilua.
Rusev throws a big right hand that misses.
Rusev throws a big right hand that misses.
Rusev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rusev 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.
Rusev not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rusev throws a strike but Leilua rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rusev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rusev 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Rusev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rusev tries to pass to full mount but Leilua defends it.
Rusev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Leilua's head.

Rusev 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.
Rusev not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leilua is concentrating on defense, preventing Rusev from advancing position.
Rusev trying to control the action but Leilua is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rusev working the head and body with strikes.
Leilua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rusev.
Rusev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Leilua is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rusev scores with a couple of nice shots.
Leilua avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rusev.
Rusev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Leilua keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leilua avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rusev.
Rusev is nestled in close to Leilua, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rusev is trying to control the action in half guard but Leilua is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Leilua on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Leilua wants to get back to full guard.
Leilua is not content to let Rusev control the position.
Rusev throwing shots but Leilua is blocking nicely.
Rusev working Leilua over with strikes.
Rusev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rusev throwing shots but Leilua is blocking nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kai Leilua will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Leilua leaves Rusev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rusev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Leilua tries to avoid it but Rusev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Leilua to the ground. Leilua escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rusev or perhaps it was just good defense by Leilua, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Rusev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Leilua jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Leilua slaps away a takedown attempt from Rusev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Leilua stuffs the takedown attempt from Rusev. Rusev gets slowly back to his feet.
Alexander Rusev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Leilua cracks Rusev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leilua keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Leilua throws a nice outside leg kick.

Rusev tries to keep at a distance but Leilua has taken the fight into the clinch.
Leilua lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Still in the clinch, Leilua scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusev takes a shot to the head.
Leilua blocks an elbow strike.
A shot in the inside from Leilua.
Leilua throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rusevs head.
Rusev fails to pull guard.
Leilua lands a damaging elbow.
Rusev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Leilua pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Leilua lands an elbow inside that Rusev shrugs off.

Rusev is rocked!
Leilua gets underhooks to prevent Rusev's takedown attempt.
Oh Rusev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Leilua presses Rusev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Leilua pushes Rusev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Leilua lands with a right to the head.
Rusev takes an elbow to the temple.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rusev tries for a takedown but Leilua manages to get underhooks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Leilua lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Leilua has Rusev pressed against the cage. He pushes Rusev back and as he springs towards him off the cage, Leilua throws a beautiful elbow that sends Rusev crashing to the floor! Leilua piles on the pressure with more strikes! Rusev is flailing away but he's not defending himself and the referee steps in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kai Leilua!
Kai Leilua decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.