PBP Commentary

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

Karalexis
vs
Rua

194 cm
22
211 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
198 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Otto Karalexis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maurisio Rua!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jorge Garcia and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua misses with a takedown attempt - Karalexis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Karalexis wants to land a leg kick but Rua is out of range.
Karalexis misses with a body kick.
Rua throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Karalexis looks for the body kick but Rua saw that one coming.
Karalexis throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Karalexis.
Karalexis throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Karalexis looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Rua shoots in for a double leg but Karalexis sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua moves out of range of the body kick from Karalexis.
Karalexis throws a half hearted mid kick.
Karalexis misses with a straight right.
Karalexis feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rua's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karalexis throws the kick towards the body but Rua avoids it.
Karalexis defending well as Rua loads up on a big left hand.
Karalexis looks to land a left hand but Rua moved out of range nicely.
Karalexis looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A low kick from Karalexis misses
and Rua counters with a nice low kick that buckles Karalexis's knee momentarily.
A slapping body kick lands there for Karalexis.
Karalexis looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rua takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Otto Karalexis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rua displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Karalexis throws out the jab.
Karalexis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Karalexis throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rua throws a hook but Karalexis avoids it easily.
A low kick from Karalexis is predictable there
and Rua counters with a stiff right hand.
Karalexis scores with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Karalexis but Karalexis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Otto Karalexis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maurisio Rua.
Karalexis throws a body kick that misses.
Rua misses with a straight left.
Karalexis throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Rua shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Karalexis as he jumps to the side.
Rua dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rua is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rua throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Karalexis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rua.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua avoids the head kick by Karalexis.
Karalexis scoring well with a low kick there.
Karalexis lands with a kick to the temple. Rua shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Karalexis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rua keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Karalexis throws a lazy right hand but Rua sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Karalexis throws a jab but it's blocked by Rua.
Karalexis slips a jab from Rua.
A head kick misses from Karalexis.
Karalexis attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Karalexis.
Karalexis pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rua lands with a straight right. Karalexis didn't see that one coming.

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.
Karalexis pushes Rua away with a front kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Karalexis!
Karalexis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Karalexis looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Karalexis cracks the inside of Rua's front leg.
Karalexis misses with the body kick
and Rua counters with a right hand to the body.
Karalexis throws a lazy body kick
and Rua counters with a straight right hand.
Karalexis misses with a hook.
Karalexis throws a half hearted mid kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Karalexis!
Nice body kick from Karalexis.
Karalexis is looking to slow Rua down with leg kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Maurisio Rua will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Karalexis scores with a spinning back kick!
Karalexis throws a lazy body kick
and Rua counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Karalexis throws a leg kick but Rua moved away.
Rua punishes Karalexis's body with a nice straight punch.
Nice body kick there by Karalexis.
Rua keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Karalexis.
Rua misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karalexis.
Karalexis lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Karalexis attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Karalexis scores with a kick to the midsection.
Karalexis wants to slow Rua down by chopping away at his legs.
Rua moves out of range as Karalexis throws a body kick.
Maurisio Rua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Karalexis is looking to slow Rua down with leg kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karalexis walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Karalexis misses with an attempted mid kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Karalexis.
Rua fails to land with a series of punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rua. Karalexis does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rua is defended easily by Karalexis.
A nice leg kick lands there from Karalexis.
Karalexis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rua connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rua will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Karalexis keeps Rua at a distance using the push kick.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rua. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! Karalexis slams his shin into Rua's torso.
Crunch! Karalexis slams his shin into Rua's torso.
Karalexis looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Rua avoids the head kick by Karalexis.
Karalexis throws a lazy body kick
and Rua counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Karalexis throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Karalexis throws a front kick that sends Rua stumbling back into the cage.
A slow jab from Karalexis misses its intended target.
Karalexis throws a low kick, looking for Rua's leg but Rua calmly moves out of range.
Karalexis is looking to land body kicks.
Rua blocks the body kick.
Rua tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karalexis motions for Rua to come forward. Karalexis throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A leg kick checked by Rua.
Karalexis misses with a head kick.
Karalexis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Karalexis throws a leg kick which misses Rua's front leg but catches the back leg as Rua tries to avoid it.
Rua with a nice cross.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Karalexis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Karalexis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Rua shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Karalexis manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rua is pushing down on Karalexis's leg trying to pass to half guard. Karalexis is fighting to maintain full guard but Rua has managed to sneak the leg through.

Rua seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Rua is going to stand back up.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Rua not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rua missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Karalexis gets back to full guard.
Karalexis trying to keep a closed guard but Rua is proving a slippery customer.
Rua with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rua postures up in Karalexis's guard and throws a big left but Karalexis blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maurisio Rua 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!

Rua checks a low kick from Karalexis.
Rua avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Karalexis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Karalexis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Karalexis is looking to slow Rua down with leg kicks.
Karalexis throws a nice head kick!
Karalexis throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Rua crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Karalexis - the referee stops the clock and Rua gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Karalexis. Rua manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Maurisio Rua seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Karalexis moves out of range of the body kick.
Karalexis throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Rua counters by moving into the clinch.
Rua is pressed up against the cage. Karalexis has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rua down to the mat. Rua avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rua blocks a head kick by Karalexis.
Rua has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Karalexis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karalexis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Karalexis throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Karalexis misses with a body kick.
Rua looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rua moves out of range of the body kick from Karalexis.
Otto Karalexis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rua moves out of range of the body kick.
Karalexis looks for the body kick but Rua saw that one coming.
Karalexis scores with a kick to the midsection.
Rua's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Karalexis looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Karalexis pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Karalexis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Otto Karalexis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Rua has Karalexis up against the cage in a clinch.
Karalexis is looking to control Rua's arms but Rua gets an underhook and turns him. Now Karalexis has his back to the cage.

Rua's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Karalexis throws a wild body kick that Rua sees coming a mile off.
Rua blocks the body kick.
A head kick from Karalexis lands but Rua takes it in his stride.
Karalexis connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rua takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Karalexis takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A big left from Rua misses.
Rua blocks a head kick by Karalexis.
Karalexis throws a push kick but Rua slaps the foot to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karalexis tries a head kick but it misses.
Rua lands with a good body shot.
Rua just misses with a punch to the body.
Karalexis throws a head kick but Rua moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rua.
Rua throws a right hand that Karalexis ducks under and follows up with a left that Karalexis also avoids with ease.
Rua takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rua tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rua cracks the inside of Karalexis's front leg.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rua shoots in for a takedown but Karalexis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rua takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Karalexis tries to land a body kick
and Rua connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karalexis lands a high kick!
Rua connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Karalexis momentarily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rua checks a leg kick.
Karalexis scoring well with a low kick there.
A head kick by Karalexis misses
enabling Rua to counter with a crisp jab.
Rua throws a one two combo.
Rua moves out of range of the body kick from Karalexis.
Karalexis misses with a body kick.

Rua takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karalexis will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rua up against the cage.
Maurisio Rua is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Rua escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maurisio Rua comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rua has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maurisio Rua!