PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ruscle Muscle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ala Potku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Muscle comes into the arena with DMX's- Where My Dogs At blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Potku's choice of entrance music: Pantera - Drag the Waters. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Muscle
vs
Potku

185 cm
21
192 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

187 cm
23
191 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Golden Lilium
MMA's Best Nutrition

Malicious Intent Fight Gear
MMA's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ruscle Muscle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ala Potku!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Robert Twigg and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Potku closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Potku lands in his opponent's guard.
Muscle working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Potku.
Potku trying to control the position from guard on top but Muscle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Potku preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Muscle throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
Muscle pulls Potku in close to prevent any damage.
Potku loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Potku trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Potku preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Muscle buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Muscle closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Ala Potku has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Muscle shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Potku makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muscle pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Muscle feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Muscle has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Potku pulls Muscle in close to prevent any damage.
Muscle is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Potku is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Potku has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Potku working a defensive guard here.
Potku keeping full guard, as Muscle tries to pass.
Muscle scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Muscle's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Muscle content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Potku looking to control but Muscle passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potku strikes from the bottom but Muscle passes into mount!
Muscle looking to finish Potku with some ground and pound. This is bad for Potku!
Potku tries to reverse the position but Muscle maintains control.
Muscle takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Muscle lands a big elbow.

Muscle swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Potku is now in Muscle's guard. A big mistake from Muscle there, giving up the dominant position!
Potku preventing the sweep.
Potku throwing strikes from guard but Muscle blocks nicely.
Potku trying to control but Muscle is working from the bottom.
Potku trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muscle looking for a sweep. Not yet Muscle, not yet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Muscle is working hard here to advance position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Muscle is on top in guard.
Potku is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Muscle looking to pass the guard.
Muscle trying to control but Potku is working from the bottom.
Muscle stopping the sweep attempt from Potku.
Muscle wants to control from the top but Potku keeps moving.

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.
Muscle throwing strikes from guard but Potku blocks nicely.
Potku wants to sweep here but Muscle controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Muscle moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Muscle scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Potku keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Muscle lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Potku is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Potku looks gassed!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Muscle is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Muscle passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruscle Muscle dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ala Potku's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Muscle does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Muscle misses with a straight right.
Muscle uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Potku.
Potku keeps the fight on the outside.
Muscle lands a left and a right that sends Potku crashing to the canvas! Muscle dives into mount looking to finish!

Potku is rocked!
Potku tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Potku is still in real trouble! Can Muscle finish him?
BOOM! Muscle connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Potku tries to lock up and control but Muscle gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Muscle controlling the pace for now.
Potku is looking to get to half guard.
Potku is squirming around, avoiding Muscle's attempts to control the action.
Potku seems to have recovered his senses.

Muscle moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Potku has worked his arm free - good work by Potku!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potku is looking to reverse the position.
Potku taking punishment in the form of punches.
Muscle in side control lands a decent elbow.
Muscle tries to advance to mount but can't.
Muscle working the body and head with strikes.
An elbow from Muscle crashes against the mat.

Muscle looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Muscle working the ground and pound from side control.
Potku is looking to reverse the position.
Muscle is putting a hurting on Potku here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muscle working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Potku struggling a bit here.

Muscle wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Potku, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Potku sneaks back into half guard.
Potku is pressing down on Muscle's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Muscle landing with the ground and pound.
Potku has momentary wrist control but Muscle slips an elbow through the middle.
Potku throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Potku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Potku looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potku not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ruscle Muscle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Muscle scoring with some ground and pound.
Muscle working some strikes from top position.
Muscle distracts Potku with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Muscle preventing the sweep.
Muscle is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Potku wants to sweep but no luck.
Potku trying to keep a closed guard but Muscle is proving a slippery customer.

Muscle avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Potku keeping full guard, as Muscle tries to pass.

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.
Potku is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Potku drops an elbow to the side of Muscle's head.

Muscle looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Muscle is looking to get back to full guard here but Potku has managed to pass to side control instead.
Potku landing shots from mount.
Muscle is looking to get to half guard.
Muscle is squirming around, avoiding Potku's attempts to control the action.
Potku lands a nice shot to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Potku breaks from Muscle's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Muscle takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Potku looking to finish Muscle with some ground and pound. This is bad for Muscle!

Muscle is rocked!

Potku is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Muscle has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Muscle!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ala Potku will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ala Potku's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Muscle lands a jab to the head.
Potku looks to land a combination but Muscle avoids it well.
Potku with a poor takedown
and Muscle counters with a left and a right that stings Potku.
Muscle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Potku.
Ruscle Muscle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Potku moves into the clinch.
Potku is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Muscle gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Muscle breaks the clinch.
Muscle throws a solid leg kick but Potku takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Muscle.
Potku moves out of range of the strikes.
Muscle misses with a double jab.
Potku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Muscle sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ruscle Muscle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Muscle with a hook.
Potku takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Muscle lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Potku backs up against the cage.
Muscle looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Potku.
Potku will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Potku gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Muscle.
Muscle throws a hook but Potku blocks it.
Potku throws a series of punches but Muscle avoids them all with ease.
Muscle wants to land a leg kick but Potku is out of range.
Muscle lands a lovely overhand right.
Muscle misses with a body kick.
Muscle throws a looping overhand right but Potku ducks down to avoid it.
Potku doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Potku takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Potku checks a leg kick.
Muscle uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Muscle scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That has opened up Ala Potku's cut even more.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Potku misses.
Muscle moves into range and connects with a jab.
A clash of legs there as Potku blocks the low kick.
A leg kick checked by Potku.
A low kick from Muscle misses

and Potku moves into the clinch.
Potku is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Potku wants to break the clinch but can't.
Muscle lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Potku misses with a hook from the clinch.
Potku misses with some punches.
Potku avoiding damage as Muscle throws knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Potku fails to land.

Muscle breaks the clinch.
Potku throws a combination. Muscle tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Muscle drives through and clinches with Potku against the cage.

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

Muscle closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Muscle scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potku wants to improve his position but Muscle is controlling well.
Muscle blocks the strikes from Potku.
Potku is looking for a sweep. Muscle is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Potku is pressing down on Muscle's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Muscle looking to pass the guard.

Potku looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Potku wants to sweep but no luck.
Potku manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Muscle manages to get himself to full guard.

Muscle has his foot on Potku's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Potku works his way back into a safe position though.
Potku preventing the sweep.
Muscle looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muscle punching from the bottom.
Potku working some strikes from top position.
Potku missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Potku stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Muscle swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Potku is working Muscle over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Potku circles away from the clinch attempt.
Potku bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Muscle throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nice body punch from Muscle.
Muscle tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Potku paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Muscle swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Potku misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Muscle tries for a takedown but Potku circles away easily

and Potku counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruscle Muscle clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Ala Potku's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Potku lands with a kick to the temple. Muscle shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Muscle gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Potku counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Muscle's guard now.
Muscle wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Muscle bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Potku's guard.
Potku wants to stand up but Muscle is controlling him.
Potku can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Muscle controls the pace.
Potku is trying to keep Muscle in close.

Potku is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Potku wants to sweep here but Muscle controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muscle drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Potku dives on top into guard.
Muscle tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Muscle throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Muscle keeping full guard, as Potku tries to pass.
Muscle is looking to sweep but instead, Potku has passed into half guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Muscle is looking to improve his position.
Potku trying to control from half guard but Muscle is working away.
Potku missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Muscle swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two 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.
Muscle misses with a wild body shot.
Potku smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Potku scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Muscle gets back to half guard.
Potku trying to pass the guard but Muscle defending well.
Muscle trying to hold on to Potku's head to control him but Potku postures up.

Potku is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Potku not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Potku passes to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potku with good strikes from the mount here!
Potku is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Muscle can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Potku with a couple of short strikes.
Potku with shots to the head and body - Muscle looks very uncomfortable down there.
Potku punishing his opponent with strikes.
Oh Muscle is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Potku scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Potku with the ground and pound from mount.
Muscle seems to have got his legs back now.
Potku with a couple of short strikes.
Muscle is looking to get to half guard.
Potku looking to finish Muscle with some ground and pound. This is bad for Muscle!
The referee warns Muscle that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potku pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Potku is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Potku tries to control but Muscle wriggling away.
Muscle can't escape the position.
Muscle wants to hold on but Potku pushes him away.
Muscle slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Muscle keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Muscle is trying to control but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Potku is pressing down on Muscle's thigh, looking to free his foot. Muscle is holding on for now.
Potku blocks the strikes from Muscle.
Muscle is looking for a sweep. Potku is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ala Potku dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Ala Potku's cut.
That's time! Muscle's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Potku moves into range and clinches up with Muscle.
Potku working aggressively here.

Muscle manages to break the clinch.
Muscle throws out a powerful jab.
Muscle tries a head kick but it misses.
Potku misses with a series of wild punches.
Muscle tries to work over Potku's front leg with a kick but Potku checks it.
Muscle looks to clinch

and Potku counters by moving into the clinch.

Muscle gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Muscle prevents Potku from improving his position.
Muscle is looking to take a break and control but Potku is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Potku slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Potku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Muscle is one step ahead there.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potku bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Muscle's guard.
Muscle trying to control the position.
Muscle working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Potku.
Muscle looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Potku wants to control from the top but Muscle keeps moving.
Potku trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Muscle manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Muscle sitting in guard, not really doing much.

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.
Potku wants to sweep but no luck.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Muscle misses with a leg kick
and Potku counters with a straight right hand.

Potku gets caught flat footed, as Muscle shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Muscle wants to control from the top but Potku keeps moving.
Potku is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Potku wants to sweep but no luck.
Potku lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Muscle!

Potku jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Muscle manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muscle sneaks back into half guard.
Muscle wants to get back to full guard.
Potku is tying to control. Muscle wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Muscle is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Potku thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are battling for position here. Muscle manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Potku postures up in Muscle's guard and throws a big left but Muscle blocks it.
Muscle manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Potku manages to get himself to full guard.
Potku looking for a sweep. Not yet Potku, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Muscle is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Potku is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Potku has escaped and now he's on top!
Potku cracks Muscle with a solid left hand.
Muscle tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Potku decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Muscle, up you get!
Muscle fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Potku shoots in but Muscle avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Muscle shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Potku's guard.
Potku is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Muscle is working Potku over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ruscle Muscle showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Muscle has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 48:47
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 48:47
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruscle Muscle!
Ruscle Muscle is the new middleweight champion!