PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oleg Galats (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.

Rua
vs
Galats

187 cm
25
207 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mauricio Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Oleg Galats!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Left hook, right uppercut from Rua.

Rua moves into range and clinches up with Galats.

Rua breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Galats decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Galats wants to stand up but Rua is controlling the position.

Galats decides to stand up.
Galats fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rua avoids it really well and circles away.
Galats shoots for a double leg takedown but Rua sprawls well. He's pushed Galats's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Galats takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rua scores with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Galats fails with a takedown attempt.
Mauricio Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oleg Galats.
Galats looks gassed!
Rua works over Galats's head and body with a nice combination.
Galats fails with a takedown attempt.
Galats looks for a takedown but Rua sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galats on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rua throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Rua's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Galats on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Galats steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rua. That one must have hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Galats tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mauricio Rua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Rua takes the fight into the clinch.
Rua leaning his opponent against the cage.
Rua scores with a knee to the head.

Rua pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Galats walks into a stiff left hand from Rua.
Galats throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rua sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Rua clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua with a knee to the head.

Rua's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Donk. Rua catches Galats right on the button with a cross.

Galats is rocked!

Rua closes the distance and clinches.

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

Rua clinches up against the cage.

Rua breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Rua gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Galats being controlled against the cage.

Rua pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rua clinches.

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

Rua has taken the fight to the clinch.

Rua's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rua throws a one two combo.
Decent striking displayed by Rua there.
Rua sizes up Galats with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Galats has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rua.
Rua moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Rua clinches with his opponent.
Rua lands with a left to the head.

Rua breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Galats looks for a takedown but Rua sprawls well.
Rua scores with a leg kick.

Rua gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A knee to the head by Rua.

Rua breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rua scores with a one two! Galats had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Rua has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rua controlling the action here for a moment.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rua throws a combination. Galats tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Galats fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rua avoids it really well and circles away.

Rua drives through and clinches with Galats against the cage.
Rua landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rua lands a knee to the head.

Rua breaks from the clinch.

Galats is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rua's half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Galats is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Galats decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Rua lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Rua avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Rua dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Galats throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rua's waist but Rua gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Galats off to one side.

Rua clinches with his opponent.
Galats tries to stall but Rua uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Rua with a knee to the head.

Rua pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Galats shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rua as he avoids it easily.
Rua throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Galats stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rua scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rua scores with a nice head shot.

Rua darts in and clinches Galats up against the cage.
Rua landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by Rua.
Rua slowing the pace effectively.
Galats misses with a hook from the clinch.

Rua's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rua scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Galats tries to keep at a distance but Rua has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rua with a knee to the head.
Galats is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rua blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Galats is trying to force a seperation but Rua has the dominant position.
Rua with a knee to the head.
Galats goes for a takedown attempt but Rua pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mauricio Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oleg Galats.
Galats changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rua tries to avoid it but Galats manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rua to the ground. Rua escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Galats throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rua's waist but Rua gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Galats off to one side.
Galats tries to clinch but fails miserably
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Galats darts in trying to clinch
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
letting Rua counter with a right hand.
Galats has his takedown stuffed

and Rua counters by moving into the clinch.

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.
A left hand lands to the body for Galats.
Rua lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rua with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rua.

Rua's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rua scoring well with a low kick there.
Galats shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rua counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Galats shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rua defends it nicely.
Mauricio Rua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rua rushes Galats and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rua breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Galats looks for a takedown but Rua sprawls well.
Mauricio Rua is winning the standup battle so far.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Galats.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua scores with a jab to the head.
Rua keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rua scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Galats with a poor takedown
and Rua counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Horrible takedown by Galats or perhaps it was just good defense by Rua which made him look bad.
Galats closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rua circles away.
Galats shoots for a double leg takedown but Rua sprawls well. He's pushed Galats's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rua ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Galats shoots in and drives through. Rua sprawls well.
Galats takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Galats shoots in and drives through. Rua sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Galats shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rua defends it nicely.
Galats tries to clinch up
and Rua counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rua stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rua wants it to stay on the feet.
Galats tries to clinch up
and Rua counters with a straight right hand.
Galats tries to clinch
and Galats takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Galats has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Galats darts in trying to clinch

and Rua counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rua.

Rua manages to break the clinch.
Galats shoots in looking for a takedown. Rua tries to sprawl out of it but Galats keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rua manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Galats doesn't manage to clinch there - Rua circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Rua dominated that second round.
That's time! Rua's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Galats fails with a takedown attempt.
A good leg kick by Rua.
Galats misses with a takedown
and Rua counters with a series of strikes. Galats will be more careful next time no doubt.

Rua drives through and clinches with Galats against the cage.

Rua breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rua scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Rua - that will leave a mark!

Rua closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rua with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Rua breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Rua clinches up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Galats misses with a punch on the inside.

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

Galats tries to keep at a distance but Rua has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galats just leaning against Rua, taking a breather.
Galats has Rua pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rua manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mauricio Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oleg Galats.

Rua breaks the clinch.

Rua closes the distance and pushes Galats back into the cage.
Rua with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Galats is looking to control Rua's arms but Rua gets an underhook and turns him. Now Galats has his back to the cage.

Rua breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch but Galats swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Galats fails with a takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Rua.
Rua closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rua slaps away a takedown attempt from Galats, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Galats fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Galats. That did some damage!
Rua is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Galats can do to turn this around?
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Galats is defended easily by Rua.

Rua closes the distance and clinches.

Rua manages to break the clinch.

Rua closes the distance and clinches.
Galats is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rua with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Galats is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rua lands a right hand.
Galats working hard to break the clinch.
Oleg Galats has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rua unloads a knee to the mid-section. Galats lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Galats turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Galats throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Galats asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Galats stands up.
Galats shoots in for a takedown but Rua shows good takedown defense.
Rua scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Galats on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rua scores with a knee to the head.
Galats trying to control the position but instead, Rua has worked for underhooks and has pushed Galats into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua lands a nice knee to the body.

Rua escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Galats has a takedown stuffed.
Galats fails with the takedown
and Rua cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Galats circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rua keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rua blocks a jab.

Rua clinches up with Galats and pushes him back against the cage.
Galats misses with some punches.

Rua breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Galats throws an overhand right that lands on Rua's shoulder, as Rua tries to avoid the shot.
Rua is working the combinations to good effect here.
Rua moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Mauricio Rua is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rua fails with an attempt to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mauricio Rua showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rua, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27

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