PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hugo Mesquita (ranked 577 p4p, 924 weight class) and Yaroslav Rurik (ranked 42 p4p, 67 weight class). 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.

Mesquita
vs
Rurik

170 cm
26
145
13 - 6 - 0

165 cm
28
140
12 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Pulling Guard
NARCOS

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hugo Mesquita!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Yaroslav Rurik!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, William Peck and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rurik throws a leg kick

so Mesquita counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rurik wants to sweep here but Mesquita controlling him for the moment.
Mesquita in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mesquita postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mesquita pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rurik is keeping the position for now.
Mesquita is fighting to break Rurik's control of his arms but Rurik is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita postures up in Rurik's guard and throws a big left but Rurik blocks it.
Rurik utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita is looking to pass into half guard but Rurik pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Rurik is in guard.

Mesquita working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rurik has passed into half guard!
Rurik wants to pass to mount but Mesquita is defending the position.
Mesquita is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mesquita is looking to control Rurik's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mesquita avoid being mounted?
Mesquita wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rurik wants to pass the guard but Mesquita is defending well.
Mesquita tries to roll over but Rurik keeps him under control.
Rurik is controlling the pace.
Rurik prevents Mesquita from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita wants to get back to full guard but Rurik has passed into side control.
Mesquita 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.
Mesquita is looking for a sweep.
Rurik is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Mesquita will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Mesquita sneaks back into half guard.

Mesquita looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mesquita is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rurik content to control rather than advance.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mesquita fails with the takedown
and Rurik counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mesquita dives in for a single leg takedown but Rurik sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rurik lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mesquita.
Rurik doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mesquita jumps guard but Rurik turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugo Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rurik misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mesquita lands with a right to the head.
Rurik lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rurik doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rurik goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mesquita is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rurik to keep the fight standing.
Rurik doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rurik tries a body shot but Mesquita blocks it.

Mesquita pulls Rurik into guard.
Mesquita trying to control the position.

Mesquita looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mesquita wants to sweep but no luck.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Mesquita working for a triangle but Rurik defends it easily.

Mesquita looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Mesquita has an active guard here but Rurik has managed to pass into half guard.
Mesquita wants to get back to full guard.

Mesquita with the active half guard here but Rurik passes nicely into side control.
Mesquita is trying to get back to half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita is trying to work for a sweep but Rurik has mounted him!
Mesquita is wriggling around trying to escape.
Rurik manages to capitalize on a mistake by Mesquita to take his back!
Mesquita is really stuck here.
Rurik trying to control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita is trying to break free.
Mesquita rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Mesquita slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Mesquita throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rurik not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mesquita wants to sweep here but Rurik controlling him for the moment.
Mesquita is working hard here to advance position.
Rurik trying to control the position from guard on top but Mesquita is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mesquita bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rurik's guard.

Rurik is pulling down on Mesquita's head to control his posture.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yaroslav Rurik will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rurik throws a head kick that misses.
Rurik walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rurik.
Mesquita connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mesquita or perhaps it was just good defense by Rurik, which made it look bad.
Mesquita scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita misses with an uppercut
and Rurik counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mesquita throws a lazy uppercut
and Rurik counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mesquita takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mesquita throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mesquita is defended easily by Rurik.
Rurik raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugo Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mesquita misses with a looping left.
Mesquita looks to land a right hand but Rurik moved out of range.
Mesquita connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita tries for a takedown but Rurik sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rurik scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mesquita doesn't seem bothered though.
Mesquita throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rurik stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rurik doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mesquita tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rurik swivels and escapes.
Mesquita shoots in for a takedown but Rurik shows good takedown defense.
Mesquita missing with a left hand there. Rurik was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rurik! But no joy.
Mesquita has his takedown stuffed
and Rurik counters with a good, hard body kick but Mesquita shrugs it off.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rurik scores with a leg kick.

Mesquita closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rurik did well to prevent Mesquita getting side control.
Rurik is controlling Mesquita's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Mesquita is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rurik!
Mesquita throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Rurik slips a leg in and gets back to half 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. Mesquita connects with a nice short shot to Rurik's temple.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mesquita is looking to take a break and control but Rurik is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mesquita throwing shots but Rurik is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rurik is not content to let Mesquita control the position.
Mesquita missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mesquita sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rurik defending well though.
Hugo Mesquita overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rurik keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mesquita misses with a head shot. Rurik uses the momentum to regain guard.
Mesquita looking to sit in guard and control but Rurik gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mesquita looking for subs off his back but Rurik has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita wants to get back to full guard but Rurik has passed into side control.
Mesquita struggling a bit here.
Mesquita manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rurik's best efforts.
Mesquita wants to improve his position but Rurik is controlling well.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mesquita is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Rurik jumps into side control!
Mesquita looks to move to half guard but instead Rurik has passed into mount! Damn!
Rurik takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Mesquita working to try and regain half guard.
Rurik takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Mesquita regains half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita is trying to control but Rurik passes into side control!
Mesquita is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mesquita is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rurik's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rurik sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Mesquita slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Mesquita looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rurik passes into side control.
Mesquita can't do much from the bottom here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita gets back to half guard.
Mesquita wants to improve his position but Rurik is controlling well.
Mesquita trying to hold on to Rurik's head to control him but Rurik postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mesquita is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rurik pulls his head out easily.
Mesquita wants to improve his position but Rurik is controlling well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yaroslav Rurik will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rurik.
Mesquita smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mesquita digs a good hook to Rurik's body.
Mesquita connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Mesquita shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rurik manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rurik utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rurik trying to keep a closed guard but Mesquita is proving a slippery customer.
Mesquita scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita throws a strike but Rurik rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mesquita escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rurik gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rurik being controlled here momentarily.
Mesquita wants to sweep but no luck.
Rurik slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Mesquita had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rurik defends it easily.
Rurik won't allow Mesquita to sweep him here.

Mesquita looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mesquita wants to sweep here but Rurik controlling him for the moment.

Rurik avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mesquita looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rurik passes into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mesquita tries to roll over but Rurik keeps him under control.
Mesquita is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Rurik jumps into side control!
Mesquita sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mesquita is looking to control Rurik's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mesquita avoid being mounted?

Mesquita looking for submissions off his back.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Mesquita won't allow Rurik to pass to mount.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mesquita manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rurik stopping the sweep attempt from Mesquita.
Rurik sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mesquita's guard.

Mesquita is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rurik pulls his head out easily.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Mesquita is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Mesquita fails with the takedown.
Rurik looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A good leg kick by Rurik.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rurik drops his hands momentarily and Mesquita takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mesquita bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Mesquita shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rurik as he avoids it easily.
Rurik takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Yaroslav Rurik seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rurik walks into a left hand.
Mesquita dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mesquita.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugo Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mesquita with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita lands a nice shot that snaps Rurik's head back.
Mesquita goes for a double leg but Rurik avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rurik continues to drive forward.
Rurik goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Rurik.
Rurik has a couple of punches blocked by Mesquita.
Rurik lands a hook that snaps the head of Mesquita backwards.
Mesquita's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Mesquita throws a head punch that misses.
Mesquita jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rurik walks away with a smile on his face. Mesquita gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hugo Mesquita seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rurik staying out of range there.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita misses with a hook. Rurik ducked under it nicely.
Rurik is trying to counter with his kicks.
Mesquita fails with a takedown attempt.
Rurik follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Mesquita throws a right hand that misses
and Rurik counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mesquita tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rurik swivels and escapes.
Mesquita looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mesquita shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rurik as he avoids it easily.
Rurik swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mesquita misses with a takedown attempt
and Rurik counters with a low kick, right behind Mesquita 's knee.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rurik throws a hook to the side of Mesquita's head but Mesquita sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Some bone on bone action there as Mesquita checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Good exchange - Rurik coming out on top.
Rurik stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rurik wants it to stay on the feet.
Rurik replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Mesquita blocks it well.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rurik.
Rurik looks to throw a body kick

and Mesquita counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Rurik!
Hugo Mesquita has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mesquita is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rurik knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rurik is trying to control Mesquita's posture but Mesquita avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Hugo Mesquita.
I think Rurik has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yaroslav Rurik!