PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jake Ruiz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Faber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ruiz
vs
Faber

178 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
20
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jake Ruiz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thiago Faber!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Jonathan Paton and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruiz wants to clinch up but Faber keeps it at a distance.
Jake Ruiz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Faber circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ruiz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Faber displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Ruiz moves in looking to clinch but Faber pushes him off.
Ruiz is looking to clinch.
Faber shoots in but no luck this time.

Ruiz gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ruiz lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ruiz prevents a takedown attempt there.
Faber managing to block the knees to the body from Ruiz.
Faber fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Jake Ruiz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Faber.

Ruiz jumps guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Faber is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ruiz wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Faber manages to pass to side control.
Ruiz trying to get back to full guard but Faber takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Ruiz has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faber is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Ruiz tries to break free.
Faber really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Ruiz.
Ruiz looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ruiz is trying to break free.
What can Ruiz do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

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.
Faber doesn't have the hooks in and Ruiz manages to turn into his guard.
Ruiz has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Faber pulls Ruiz in to control the position.

Ruiz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Faber is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ruiz is aware though and is defending well.
Ruiz won't allow Faber to sweep him here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ruiz trying to stand up but can't free himself from Faber's guard.
Faber pulls Ruiz in close to his closed guard and prevents Ruiz from doing any damage or advancing position.

Faber has his feet on Ruiz's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Faber looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruiz looks for a takedown but Faber sprawls well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Faber wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Faber tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ruiz smiles and moves away.
Faber shoots for a takedown but Ruiz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Faber shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ruiz pinned against the cage. Ruiz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ruiz is defended easily by Faber.

Faber gets the takedown into side control.
Ruiz is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruiz is pushing Faber's head away, looking to escape. Faber manages to hold on to the position though.
Ruiz seems a little lost for a moment, as Faber dominates the positioning.
Ruiz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ruiz is trying to work for a sweep but Faber has mounted him!
Faber manages to capitalize on a mistake by Ruiz to take his back!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Faber controlling the positon.

Ruiz defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Faber's arms.

Faber is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Ruiz defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Faber dominated that round.
That's time! Ruiz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ruiz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Faber as he avoids it easily.
Faber keeps the fight on the outside.
Ruiz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Faber is looking to clinch but Ruiz is avoiding it.
Faber fails with an attempt to clinch.

Ruiz clinches.

Ruiz breaks the clinch.
Faber avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Faber tries to clinch but Ruiz moves out of range.
Ruiz tries to clinch up but Faber circles away and keeps his distance.
Ruiz tries to clinch but Faber is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Faber is looking to clinch but Ruiz is avoiding it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ruiz misses with a takedown attempt
and Faber connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Faber is defended easily by Ruiz.
Faber doesn't manage to clinch there - Ruiz circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruiz fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Ruiz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Faber shoots in for a takedown but Ruiz shows good takedown defense.
Faber lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Faber shoots in for a double leg but Ruiz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A head kick misses from Faber.
Ruiz takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ruiz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Faber avoids it really well and circles away.
Faber has a takedown stuffed.
Ruiz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Faber.
Ruiz fails with a takedown attempt.
Faber shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ruiz defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruiz shoots in for a double leg but Faber sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jake Ruiz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horrible takedown by Faber or perhaps it was just good defense by Ruiz which made him look bad.
Ruiz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Faber.
Faber circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ruiz blocks a head kick by Faber.
Ruiz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Faber tries to clinch but Ruiz is having none of it.
Faber dives in and grabs Ruiz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ruiz pushes down on Faber's head and hops out.
Faber is looking to clinch.
Ruiz darts in trying to clinch
and Faber counters with a left and a right that stings Ruiz.

It looks like Jake Ruiz has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruiz takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ruiz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Faber avoids it really well and circles away.
Faber tries to clinch but Ruiz is having none of it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Faber looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Faber avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Faber fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ruiz.
Ruiz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Faber defends it nicely.
Ruiz stuffs the takedown.

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.
Faber looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ruiz tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Faber swivels and escapes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ruiz throws an elbow that misses.
Ruiz throws an elbow that misses.
Faber tries to stall but Ruiz uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Faber jumps guard but Ruiz stands there with Faber around his waist. Faber gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Faber jumps guard but Ruiz stands there with Faber around his waist. Faber gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ruiz misses with a knee to the head.
Faber tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ruiz smiles and moves away.
A left and a right from Faber both land. Nice combination.
Nice takedown defense from Faber. No joy for Ruiz on that attempt.
Faber shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ruiz defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Thiago Faber will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jake Ruiz's cut.
That's time! Ruiz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Faber tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ruiz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Faber shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Faber fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ruiz fails to land the takedown.
Ruiz fails with the takedown.
Faber shoots in but Ruiz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jake Ruiz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Faber.
Ruiz tries to clinch there but Faber circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Faber will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Faber swats away the attempt to clinch by Ruiz.
Ruiz fails with a takedown attempt.

Ruiz clinches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faber is trying to force a seperation but Ruiz has the dominant position.
Ruiz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Faber has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Faber tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ruiz just stands there and leans against the cage.
Faber stops a takedown attempt from Ruiz.
Ruiz trying to land knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Faber.
Faber on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ruiz tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Faber just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ruiz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Faber looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Faber tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Faber jumps guard but Ruiz stands there with Faber around his waist. Faber gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ruiz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Faber tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ruiz just stands there and leans against the cage.
Faber wants a takedown.
Ruiz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Faber prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ruiz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ruiz tries to break free but Faber pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faber changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ruiz fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ruiz shoots in but Faber avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ruiz moves in looking to clinch but Faber pushes him off.
Ruiz leaves Faber with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Faber as Ruiz shoots in.
Ruiz ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Faber keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
No luck for Faber with that takedown attempt.
Ruiz fails with a takedown attempt.
Faber lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faber stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Faber wants it to stay on the feet.
Faber looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Ruiz drives through and clinches with Faber against the cage.
Faber tries to throw a body punch but Ruiz avoids it by throwing Faber back against the cage.
A knee to the head by Ruiz.
Faber can't break the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ruiz obliges.
Faber jumps guard but Ruiz stands there with Faber around his waist. Faber gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ruiz fails to pull guard.

Ruiz pulls guard.

Faber stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ruiz shoots for a double leg takedown but Faber sprawls well. He's pushed Ruiz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ruiz blocks a head kick by Faber.
Ruiz is looking to clinch but Faber is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruiz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Faber sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Faber looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ruiz is fending him off so far but Faber persists. Nope, Ruiz circles away and we're back to standing.
Ruiz stuffs the takedown attempt from Faber. Faber gets slowly back to his feet.
Ruiz throws a combination that misses

and Faber counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ruiz wants to sweep but no luck.
Faber sitting in guard here, content to control.
Ruiz 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.
Jake Ruiz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Faber postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Thiago Faber is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Faber stands up from guard. Let's bang!

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Faber comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Faber winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Faber!