PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matteus Serra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and LaDanian Rucker II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matteus Serra has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Serra
vs
Rucker II

165 cm
25
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
165 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

[IFC] Hilton Supplements *NYC*

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, Matteus Serra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, LaDanian Rucker II!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Dean Styles and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Rucker II. Those never looked like landing.
Rucker II misses with a wild combination.
Rucker II jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Serra showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rucker II.
Rucker II looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Serra is fending him off so far but Rucker II persists. Nope, Serra circles away and we're back to standing.
Rucker II connects with a single shot there.
Serra avoids a punch combination nicely.
Serra misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rucker II misses with a jab, cross combination.

Rucker II pushes Serra up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serra is looking to break free of the clinch but Rucker II has double underhooks.
Serra drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Serra could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Rucker II lands with a right to the head.
Still in the clinch, Rucker II scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rucker II lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Serra backwards.
Serra is working for takedown but Rucker II is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rucker II lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Serra wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matteus Serra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rucker II lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rucker II scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rucker II is looking to control Serra's arms but Serra gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rucker II has his back to the cage.
Rucker II is pressed up against the cage. Serra has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rucker II down to the mat. Rucker II avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rucker II paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Serra slaps away a takedown attempt from Rucker II, before circling back to the center of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Serra drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Serra takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rucker II scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right from Rucker II.
Rucker II lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Serra backwards.
Serra has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rucker II avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rucker II lands an elbow that stopped Serra in his tracks for a moment.
Rucker II lands a hook that snaps the head of Serra backwards.
Rucker II is pressed up against the cage. Serra has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rucker II down to the mat. Rucker II avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Serra takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rucker II lands a really nice looking cross but Serra seems unphased.

Serra moves into the clinch.
Serra tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rucker II unloads a knee to the mid-section. Serra lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Serra drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rucker II lands an elbow that stopped Serra in his tracks for a moment.
Rucker II lands a shoulder strike.
Rucker II lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Serra tries for a takedown but Rucker II manages to get underhooks.
Serra can't get the takedown.
Serra is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Rucker II scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rucker II gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Serra.
Rucker II is trying to maintain a safe position but Serra gets an underhook and turns Rucker II into the cage.
Rucker II lands with a right to the head.

Serra manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Rucker II trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Serra manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Rucker II is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Serra is aware though and is defending well.

Serra drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Serra jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Serra passes Rucker II's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Serra content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rucker II trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Serra manages to pass to mount!
Serra controlling the position easily from mount.
Serra forces the positional change into back control.

Serra is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Rucker II with him. Rucker II is trying to defend but Serra has an arm under the chin now! Rucker II grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Matteus Serra!