PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frean Dorpo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ralph Ruiz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ralph Ruiz will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Dorpo
vs
Ruiz

186 cm
19
230 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
20
255 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Frean Dorpo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ralph Ruiz!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dorpo instigates a clinch.
Ruiz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ruiz is looking to break free of the clinch but Dorpo has double underhooks.
Dorpo blocks an uppercut.
Ruiz scores with a nice hook to the head.

Dorpo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dorpo scores with a three punch combo!
Ruiz misses with a few strikes there.
The fighters circle momentarily. Dorpo darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ruiz misses with a wild combination.
Ruiz looks gassed!

Dorpo has Ruiz up against the cage in a clinch.
Dorpo has Ruiz pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ruiz manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ruiz.

Dorpo pulls guard successfully.
Dorpo is trying to control the position but Ruiz postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ruiz gets to his feet. Dorpo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Ruiz tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Dorpo counters by clinching up.
Dorpo blocks an elbow strike from Ruiz.
Dorpo slows down the pace here.
Dorpo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ruiz gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruiz prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frean Dorpo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dorpo keeps control of Ruiz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Dorpo pulls guard effortlessly.
Dorpo has a closed guard, preventing Ruiz from standing up.
Dorpo has control of Ruiz's left arm, preventing Ruiz from doing any damage.
Ruiz wants to stand but Dorpo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Ruiz seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dorpo has his hands on Ruiz's head, controlling the position.
Ruiz wants to get up but he can't break Dorpo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Dorpo wants to sweep but no luck.
Dorpo keeping moving, preventing Ruiz from controlling successfully.
Ruiz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dorpo looking for a sweep. Not yet Dorpo, not yet.
Ruiz is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Dorpo is trying to control the position but Ruiz postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Dorpo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ruiz wants to break free but Dorpo has control.
Ruiz working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ruiz is trying to break free.
Ruiz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dorpo has him pressed against the cage.
Dorpo lands an elbow just above Ruiz 's eye.
Dorpo tries to pull guard but Ruiz won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Dorpo.

Ruiz tightens his grip and picks Dorpo up, before dumping him to the ground. Dorpo manages to land in guard.
Ruiz is looking to stand up but Dorpo won't let him.

Ruiz stands up from Dorpo's guard - Ruiz perhaps looking for a knockout.

Dorpo clinches with his opponent.

Ruiz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ruiz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Dorpo counter with a right hand.
Ruiz throws a nice looking combination but Dorpo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ruiz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dorpo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ruiz has him pressed against the cage.
Dorpo tries to stall but Ruiz uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Frean Dorpo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Dorpo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ruiz wants to clinch

and Dorpo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dorpo.
Dorpo looking for a takedown.
Dorpo stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Ruiz has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dorpo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ruiz prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ruiz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Ruiz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ruiz lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Frean Dorpo has been cut.
Ruiz clinches but Dorpo breaks the clinch

and Dorpo counters by moving into the clinch.

Dorpo decides to pull guard.
Ruiz preventing the sweep.
Dorpo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ruiz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Dorpo is pulling down on Ruiz's head to control his posture.
Ruiz is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dorpo is trying to keep Ruiz in close.
Dorpo wants to sweep but no luck.
Dorpo has a closed guard, preventing Ruiz from standing up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Dorpo lands a two punch combo.

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.

Dorpo has closed the distance and engaged Ruiz in a clinch.
Ruiz prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frean Dorpo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ruiz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dorpo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Dorpo getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ruiz misses with a combination
and Dorpo counters with a stiff right hand.
Dorpo doesn't manage to clinch there - Ruiz circles away.

Dorpo clinches with his opponent.
Dorpo keeps control of Ruiz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ruiz prevents the takedown attempt.
Ruiz lands with a left to the head.
Ruiz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dorpo has him pressed against the cage.

Ruiz breaks the clinch.
Ruiz throws a series of punches but Dorpo moves out of range.
Ruiz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Dorpo counter with a right hand.
Ruiz fails with the takedown
and Dorpo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ruiz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dorpo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ruiz tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Dorpo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruiz lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ruiz is looking to break free of the clinch but Dorpo has double underhooks.

Dorpo breaks the clinch.
Ruiz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dorpo is fending him off so far but Ruiz persists. Nope, Dorpo circles away and we're back to standing.
Ruiz throws a left and a right that both miss

and Dorpo counters by clinching up.

Dorpo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ruiz wants to clinch

and Dorpo moves into the clinch.

Dorpo manages to break the clinch.

Dorpo takes the fight into the clinch.

Dorpo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Dorpo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dorpo stalling in the clinch.

Dorpo pulls Ruiz into guard.

Ruiz gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ralph Ruiz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dorpo fails to land the takedown.
Ruiz misses with a takedown
and Dorpo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ruiz throws a right and a left that Dorpo avoids nicely.
Ruiz wants to clinch

and Dorpo moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dorpo keeps control of Ruiz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

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

Dorpo clinches with his opponent.
Dorpo tries to pull guard but Ruiz holds him up against the cage and eventually Dorpo drops back down to his feet.

Ruiz manages to break the clinch.
Ruiz tries to clinch but Dorpo moves away

and Dorpo counters by clinching up.
Ruiz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ruiz has had enough of the clinch but Dorpo keeps him there for the moment.
Ruiz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ruiz lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dorpo backwards.
Ruiz wants to break free but Dorpo has control.
Dorpo lands an elbow just above Ruiz 's eye.
Dorpo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ruiz is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Dorpo breaks the clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Dorpo!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Dorpo moves into the clinch successfully.
Dorpo prevents Ruiz from breaking the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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

Dorpo closes the distance and clinches.
Dorpo looking for a takedown.
Ruiz is looking to break free of the clinch but Dorpo has double underhooks.
Ruiz wants to get back to striking at distance but Dorpo won't allow it.
A short body shot lands from Dorpo as the two fighters clinch.

Dorpo has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Ruiz regains guard immediately.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frean Dorpo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Frean Dorpo's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ruiz throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dorpo's head.

Dorpo drives through and clinches with Ruiz against the cage.
Ruiz prevents the takedown attempt.

Ruiz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ruiz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Dorpo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ruiz tries to clinch

and Dorpo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Dorpo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ruiz makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Dorpo breaks from the clinch.
Ruiz waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Dorpo.
Ruiz tries to move into range but Dorpo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Dorpo clinches.
Ruiz wants to break free but Dorpo has control.
Dorpo tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frean Dorpo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dorpo keeps control of Ruiz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ruiz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Dorpo breaks from the clinch.

Ruiz gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dorpo prevents Ruiz from breaking the clinch.
Dorpo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Dorpo is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Dorpo drags the fight down to the ground.

Ruiz gets to his feet - Dorpo follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dorpo rushes Ruiz and presses him up against the cage.
Ruiz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ruiz wants to break free but Dorpo has control.
Ruiz tries for a takedown. No joy.

Dorpo jumps guard.
Ruiz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dorpo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ruiz lands a couple of elbows.
Dorpo working a defensive guard but Ruiz passes into half guard.
Dorpo is trying to get back to full guard.
Dorpo is looking to get back to is feet but Ruiz passes into side control.

Ruiz stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dorpo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ruiz, pushing him back against the cage.

Dorpo tightens his grip and picks Ruiz up, before dumping him to the ground. Ruiz manages to land in guard.
Ruiz working a defensive guard here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ruiz is on top in guard.
Dorpo trying to control the position.
Ruiz controlling from the top position.
Ruiz is looking to stand up but Dorpo won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dorpo being controlled here, momentarily.
Ralph Ruiz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ruiz wants to get up but he can't break Dorpo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dorpo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ruiz's guard.

Ruiz scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Dorpo gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ruiz.
Ruiz closes the distance but Dorpo moves to the side

and Dorpo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Dorpo keeps control of Ruiz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ruiz is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Dorpo can't fight it off and eventually Ruiz manages to take the fight to the floor. Dorpo looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Dorpo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Ruiz decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Dorpo, up you get!

Dorpo rushes Ruiz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ruiz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dorpo tries to pull guard but Ruiz holds him up against the cage and eventually Dorpo drops back down to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dorpo lands a knee to the body.

Dorpo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dorpo dips to his left and cracks Ruiz with an uppercut!
Ralph Ruiz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Dorpo has Ruiz up against the cage in a clinch.
Dorpo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ralph Ruiz.
I think Dorpo 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frean Dorpo!