PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Habakuk Tibatong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tibatong has chosen In Flames - Cloud Connected as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Rua
vs
Tibatong

185 cm
22
215 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

184 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nauricio Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Habakuk Tibatong!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tibatong stuffs the takedown.
Tibatong moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Rua shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tibatong's guard.
Rua loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rua missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Tibatong working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rua doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rua manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tibatong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rua is one step ahead there.
Rua prevents Tibatong from getting back to his feet.

Tibatong escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rua gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rua advances to half guard.

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

Rua is looking for a kimura here.

Rua is working for a kimura but Tibatong is defending it quite comfortably.
Rua is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tibatong regains full guard. Nicely done.
Tibatong looking for a sweep. Not yet Tibatong, not yet.
Rua throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tibatong works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Tibatong is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Rua frees his head nicely. Oh but Tibatong has switched to an armbar! Rua is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Habakuk Tibatong!