PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luciano DuranEspino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

DuranEspino
vs
Rua

180 cm
23
210 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

194 cm
22
212 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Self confident

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Luciano DuranEspino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mauricio Rua!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Konstantin Menshow and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. DuranEspino defends it nicely.
DuranEspino fails to land the takedown.
DuranEspino wants to clinch.
Rua shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts DuranEspino as he jumps to the side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rua is defended easily by DuranEspino.
Luciano DuranEspino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mauricio Rua.
No luck for DuranEspino with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from DuranEspino.
Rua avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rua fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DuranEspino closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rua circles away.

Rua throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. DuranEspino was covering up waiting for the punch and Rua finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rua working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
DuranEspino avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
DuranEspino knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rua on the ground.
Rua postures up in DuranEspino's guard and throws a big left but DuranEspino blocks it.
Rua thows a big elbow that misses.
Rua postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rua is looking to work some ground and pound but DuranEspino has wrist control.
Rua works over DuranEspino with some ground and pound from guard.
DuranEspino utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DuranEspino not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Rua is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
DuranEspino avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rua stands up over DuranEspino, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rua working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
DuranEspino is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rua content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rua landing with the ground and pound.
Rua thows a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
DuranEspino might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
DuranEspino is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rua preventing the sweep.
Rua missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
DuranEspino avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rua stands and throws DuranEspino's legs to the side, diving into side control.
DuranEspino is trying to get back to half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rua stuffs the takedown.
DuranEspino fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rua misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
DuranEspino moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rua shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts DuranEspino as he jumps to the side.
Rua shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. DuranEspino defends it nicely.

DuranEspino fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rua, pushing him back against the cage.
Rua is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
DuranEspino prevents a takedown attempt there.
DuranEspino using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Rua looks gassed!
Rua is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A knee to the head by DuranEspino.

It looks like Mauricio Rua has been cut.
DuranEspino lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

DuranEspino breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
DuranEspino doesn't manage to clinch there - Rua circles away.
DuranEspino will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Luciano DuranEspino will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mauricio Rua's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

DuranEspino is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rua tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but DuranEspino swivels and escapes.
DuranEspino slaps away a takedown attempt from Rua, before circling back to the center of the mat.

DuranEspino instigates a clinch.
Rua wants a takedown.
Luciano DuranEspino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mauricio Rua.
Rua goes for a takedown attempt but DuranEspino pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rua fails with the takedown

and DuranEspino counters by moving into the clinch.
DuranEspino lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

DuranEspino pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A clash of legs there as Rua blocks the low kick.
Rua is breathing heavily.
DuranEspino wants to slow Rua down by chopping away at his legs.

Rua shoots in and bounces DuranEspino off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rua with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of DuranEspino's head.
DuranEspino on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if DuranEspino tries to get out of the position.
DuranEspino looking to control.
Rua postures up in DuranEspino's guard and throws a big left but DuranEspino blocks it.
Rua missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rua thows a big elbow that misses.
Rua working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
DuranEspino is trying to control the position but Rua postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
DuranEspino tries to clinch but Rua is having none of it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rua is defended easily by DuranEspino.
Good work by Rua as he checks the leg kick.

That's two 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.

DuranEspino drives through and clinches with Rua against the cage.
DuranEspino prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rua tries for a takedown but DuranEspino manages to get underhooks.
DuranEspino misses with a knee strike.
DuranEspino connects with a knee to the head.
Rua tries for a takedown but DuranEspino manages to get underhooks.
Rua goes for a takedown attempt but DuranEspino pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
DuranEspino is looking to clinch.
Luciano DuranEspino is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
DuranEspino tries to clinch up but Rua circles away and keeps his distance.
DuranEspino slips under a jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rua is defended easily by DuranEspino.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
DuranEspino is looking to clinch but Rua is avoiding it.
DuranEspino tries to clinch there but Rua circles away.
DuranEspino tries to clinch up but Rua circles away and keeps his distance.
DuranEspino tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rua swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rua throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. DuranEspino was covering up waiting for the punch and Rua finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rua missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
DuranEspino controls Rua momentarily but Rua frees himself.
Rua throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DuranEspino wants to sweep but no luck.
Rua has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rua missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rua throwing strikes from guard but DuranEspino blocks nicely.
Rua is working DuranEspino over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Rua thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
DuranEspino fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rua shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rua tries to score a power double leg takedown but DuranEspino sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rua somewhat.
DuranEspino tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rua paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Luciano DuranEspino will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mauricio Rua's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

DuranEspino tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
DuranEspino tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rua swats him away and circles back towards the center.
DuranEspino tries to score with a low kick but Rua moves his leg out of the way.
DuranEspino changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rua tries to avoid it but DuranEspino manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rua to the ground. Rua escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from DuranEspino. No joy for Rua on that attempt.
Rua keeps the fight on the outside.
DuranEspino fails in his attempt to clinch.
DuranEspino is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
DuranEspino wants to clinch up but Rua keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DuranEspino tries to close the distance and clinch but Rua swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rua shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as DuranEspino sprawls well. DuranEspino wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rua gets slowly back to his feet.
Rua stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from DuranEspino.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luciano DuranEspino. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. DuranEspino defends it nicely.
Rua fails with the takedown.
Rua shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as DuranEspino sprawls well. DuranEspino wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rua gets slowly back to his feet.
Rua takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rua darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Rua not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
DuranEspino wants to get back to full guard.
DuranEspino trying to control from the bottom.
DuranEspino is looking for a sweep. Rua is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
DuranEspino keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rua lands with a punch from half guard.
Rua lands with a punch from half guard.
Rua trying to pass the guard but DuranEspino defending well.
Rua looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks DuranEspino with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rua drops an elbow to the side of DuranEspino's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed DuranEspino's head.
DuranEspino trying to control from the bottom.
Rua missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rua thows a huge punch but DuranEspino dodges it nicely.
DuranEspino keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Rua is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Rua is looking for a kimura but DuranEspino is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rua to get the leverage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
DuranEspino wants to clinch up but Rua keeps it at a distance.
DuranEspino fails with the takedown.
Rua keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
DuranEspino fails with an attempt to clinch.
DuranEspino tries to clinch there but Rua circles away.

DuranEspino gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rua to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rua throwing strikes from guard but DuranEspino blocks nicely.
Mauricio Rua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rua slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rua throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Luciano DuranEspino is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rua in side control, throwing shots but DuranEspino defends.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mauricio Rua comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think DuranEspino has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Mauricio Rua!