PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Diego Fernandez Rueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tucker James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James has chosen - as his entrance music. Tucker James has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fernandez Rueda
vs
James

195 cm
18
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
19
159 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Diego Fernandez Rueda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tucker James!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Leandro Rodrigues and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James misses with a hook.
Tucker James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Fernandez Rueda drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fernandez Rueda throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
James is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on James's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Fernandez Rueda working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
James takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Fernandez Rueda really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Fernandez Rueda decides to stand back up. Fernandez Rueda steps back and let's James get back to his feet.
James wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A jab from James misses.
James throws a right and a left that both miss.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fernandez Rueda.
Fernandez Rueda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from James.
Fernandez Rueda changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. James tries to avoid it but Fernandez Rueda manages to keep hold of a leg and drag James to the ground. James escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
James moves in looking to clinch but Fernandez Rueda pushes him off.
Fernandez Rueda shoots in for a double leg but James sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Fernandez Rueda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fernandez Rueda keeps the fight on the outside.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fernandez Rueda shoots in for a double leg but James sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fernandez Rueda is breathing heavily.
James tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
James is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donk. James catches Fernandez Rueda right on the button with a cross.
Fernandez Rueda shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
Good standup being displayed there by James as he connects with a hook.
James throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fernandez Rueda tries to score a power double leg takedown but James sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fernandez Rueda somewhat.
James throws a jab but it's blocked by Fernandez Rueda.
James should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
A big right from James misses.
James misses the shot to the body.
James doesn't manage to clinch there - Fernandez Rueda circles away.
James wants to clinch up but Fernandez Rueda keeps it at a distance.
Nice defenses there by Fernandez Rueda.
James thows a body shot but no joy.
Fernandez Rueda displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as James throws out the jab.
James displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fernandez Rueda.
James looks to land a right hand but Fernandez Rueda moved out of range.
Fernandez Rueda uses good head movement to avoid the hook from James.
James throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
James throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
James tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez Rueda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

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.
James lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Fernandez Rueda takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Horrible takedown by Fernandez Rueda or perhaps it was just good defense by James which made him look bad.
James throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fernandez Rueda stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The fight stays on the outside here - James looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fernandez Rueda avoids the body shot from James.
James moves in looking to clinch but Fernandez Rueda pushes him off.
Fernandez Rueda is trying hard to land a takedown here. James sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fernandez Rueda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
James looks to land a left hand but Fernandez Rueda moved out of range nicely.
James looks to throw the jab but Fernandez Rueda is out of range.
Fernandez Rueda takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
James pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fernandez Rueda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from James.
James throws the left hand but Fernandez Rueda avoids the punch easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fernandez Rueda. James does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fernandez Rueda slips under a jab from James.
James is looking to clinch but Fernandez Rueda is avoiding it.
James scores with a sloppy right hand. Fernandez Rueda should have avoided that one.
James wants to clinch up but Fernandez Rueda keeps it at a distance.
James throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
James displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fernandez Rueda.
James throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
James goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Fernandez Rueda slips a straight right by James.
Fernandez Rueda displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as James throws out the jab.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fernandez Rueda showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
The fighters circling - James throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fernandez Rueda takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Fernandez Rueda takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
James fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

James gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fernandez Rueda to score an easy takedown into full guard.
James tries to land a sweep but no joy.
James trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez Rueda is looking to stand up but James won't let him.
Fernandez Rueda stopping the sweep attempt from James.
Fernandez Rueda will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
James looking to control.

Fernandez Rueda stands up from guard. Let's bang!
James fails in his attempt to clinch.
James misses with a looping left.
Fernandez Rueda fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
James misses the jab.
The fighters circling - James throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
James tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez Rueda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fernandez Rueda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says James as he avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tucker James will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Horrible takedown by James or perhaps it was just good defense by Fernandez Rueda which made him look bad.
A big left from James misses.
James wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Diego Fernandez Rueda is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A big left from James misses.
James wants to clinch up but Fernandez Rueda keeps it at a distance.
James misses the jab.
James waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fernandez Rueda.
James fails with an attempt to clinch.
James fails with an attempt to clinch.
James misses with a straight left.
James tries to clinch up but Fernandez Rueda circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed right hand from James misses the target.
Fernandez Rueda shoots in but no luck this time.
Fernandez Rueda shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with James but James pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernandez Rueda circles away from the clinch attempt.
James throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fernandez Rueda shoots for a takedown but James saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Fernandez Rueda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
James thows a body shot but no joy.
Fernandez Rueda misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
James throws a looping overhand right but Fernandez Rueda ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from James.
James with a hook.
James rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fernandez Rueda moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
James tries to close the distance and clinch but Fernandez Rueda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
James lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
James wants to clinch.
James misses with a looping right.
Fernandez Rueda blocks a jab.
Fernandez Rueda takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Fernandez Rueda moves out of range of the strikes.
A punch combination from James misses.
James shoots for a takedown but Fernandez Rueda saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fernandez Rueda moves out of range of the strikes.
James looks to land a left hand but Fernandez Rueda moved out of range nicely.
Fernandez Rueda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says James as he avoids it easily.
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.
James misses with a looping right.

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.

Fernandez Rueda shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Fernandez Rueda missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
James wants to improve his position but Fernandez Rueda is controlling well.
Fernandez Rueda working the head and body with strikes.
Fernandez Rueda content to control rather than advance.
James is trying to control but can't.

Fernandez Rueda is looking for a kimura here.
James has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fernandez Rueda is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fernandez Rueda moves away.
Fernandez Rueda avoids a punch combination nicely.
James tries to clinch but Fernandez Rueda moves out of range.
Fernandez Rueda misses with a takedown attempt - James sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fernandez Rueda uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from James.
Fernandez Rueda ducks under a wild hook from James.
James throws a right and a left that Fernandez Rueda avoids nicely.
James stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and James wants it to stay on the feet.
Fernandez Rueda keeps the fight on the outside.
Fernandez Rueda takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
James is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fernandez Rueda defending well as James loads up on a big left hand.
James swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Fernandez Rueda.

That's four 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.
James fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from James misses the target.
James throws an overhand right that lands on Fernandez Rueda's shoulder, as Fernandez Rueda tries to avoid the shot.
James dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
James throws a series of punches but Fernandez Rueda avoids them all with ease.
Fernandez Rueda looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

James drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
James wants to pass the guard but Fernandez Rueda is keeping the position.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Fernandez Rueda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Fernandez Rueda has his foot on James's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. James works his way back into a safe position though.
James trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fernandez Rueda not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fernandez Rueda pulls James in close to his closed guard and prevents James from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tucker James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

James punishes Fernandez Rueda's body with a nice straight punch.
James swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
James wants to clinch up but Fernandez Rueda keeps it at a distance.
James throws a hook but Fernandez Rueda avoids it easily.
Fernandez Rueda shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
Fernandez Rueda uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from James.
James is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fernandez Rueda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
James pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Fernandez Rueda gets the takedown into side control.
James is pushing Fernandez Rueda's head away, looking to escape. Fernandez Rueda manages to hold on to the position though.
Fernandez Rueda throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fernandez Rueda sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but James is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Fernandez Rueda gets to mount! James was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Fernandez Rueda looking to finish with strikes here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fernandez Rueda looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
James is trying desperately to improve position.
Fernandez Rueda thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
James can't escape the position.
James really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fernandez Rueda. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Fernandez Rueda fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Fernandez Rueda looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
James can't escape the position.
James is in a horrible position here. Fernandez Rueda smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Poor strikes thrown by Fernandez Rueda there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's two 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.
Fernandez Rueda throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
James tries to hold on but Fernandez Rueda pushes him away.
Fernandez Rueda looking to ground and pound but James is blocking nicely.
James tries to lock up and control but Fernandez Rueda gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Fernandez Rueda punching from mount but James doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Fernandez Rueda looking for a guillotine from mount but James is having none of it.
James is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Fernandez Rueda thowing shots but they're missing.
James tries to reverse the position but Fernandez Rueda maintains control.
James is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
James tries to reverse the position but Fernandez Rueda maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez Rueda avoids the attempt from James to control.
James is trying to escape the mount.
BOOM! Fernandez Rueda connects with a massive shot to the dome!
James is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
James is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Tucker James is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fernandez Rueda putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

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.
Fernandez Rueda throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for James because Fernandez Rueda loaded up on that one.
James blocking the ground and pound.
Fernandez Rueda unloads with some shots from mount but James bucks and avoids them well.
James is working to get back to half guard.
Diego Fernandez Rueda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
James keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Fernandez Rueda working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fernandez Rueda throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diego Fernandez Rueda showed his dominance in that final round.
I think James 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tucker James!