PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bishop Kane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vergil Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kane comes to the cage accompanied by Here Comes the Pain by Slayer. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kane
vs
Rua

183 cm
27
240 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

195 cm
26
274 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bishop Kane!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vergil Rua!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rua swinging wildly here.
Kane shoots in but no luck this time.
Kane shoots for a takedown but Rua saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Kane darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Kane is looking for a kimura but Rua is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kane to get the leverage.

Kane seems to be looking for submissions.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rua can do anything to dispel that myth.

Kane is working for a kimura but Rua is defending it quite comfortably.

Kane looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kane seems to be working for a kimura but Rua defends the submission attempt.

Kane is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rua defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kane thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Kane.
Kane throwing shots but Rua is blocking nicely.
Kane missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kane lands a nice short elbow.

Kane is looking for a kimura but Rua is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kane to get the leverage.

Kane is looking for a kimura here.

Kane is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rua defends it well.

Rua is defending against the submission attempts here by Kane.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kane throwing shots but Rua is blocking nicely.
Kane missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kane is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kane.
Kane has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kane.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kane thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rua's head.
Kane throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kane.

Kane is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kane moves into full mount! Rua won't be happy about that!

Rua defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Kane.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rua defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Kane.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bishop Kane dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kane closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rua quickly recovers to half guard.
Kane prevents Rua from standing back up.

Kane is looking for a kimura but Rua is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kane to get the leverage.
Rua really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kane. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kane looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Kane is working for a kimura but Rua is defending it quite comfortably.

Kane looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kane missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Kane is looking for a kimura here.
Rua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kane.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Kane is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Kane wants to work for an arm triangle but Rua is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kane landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Kane is trying to work for a kimura but Rua is defending well.
Kane not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kane throwing shots but Rua is blocking nicely.
Kane thows a huge punch but Rua dodges it nicely.
Kane not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kane thows a huge punch but Rua dodges it nicely.
Rua on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Kane is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kane thows a huge punch but Rua dodges it nicely.
Kane not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kane seems to be working for a kimura but Rua defends the submission attempt.

Kane wants to work for an arm triangle but Rua is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Kane is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kane throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kane is looking to advance position but Rua won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rua avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kane.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bishop Kane dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kane fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jab, jab by Rua - just one landing.

It looks like Bishop Kane has been cut.

Kane shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Kane was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kane is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kane is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rua can do to turn this around?
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kane has control of Rua's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Rua regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Kane wants to finish this one by submission but Rua is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kane.

Kane looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Bishop Kane overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Kane.

Kane looking to secure an arm triangle but Rua defends it well.
Kane throws some wild stikes that Rua manages to avoid easily.
Rua holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Kane tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Kane has control of Rua's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Rua regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kane throwing strikes here but Rua is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Kane misses with a head shot.
Kane landing strikes, looking to finish!
Kane lands with some strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kane cracks Rua with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Kane here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Kane looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Kane thowing shots but they're missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Kane is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Rua can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Rua defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Kane.
Kane scoring with strikes but Rua is staying in there.

Kane is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Rua to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Rua shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kane cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kane lands a big shot there that rocks Rua but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kane throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
The referee warns Rua that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Rua taking shots to the head.
BOOM! Kane connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Kane is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rua has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kane looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bishop Kane clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Bishop Kane's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kane shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rua but Rua pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rua keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bishop Kane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rua misses with a double jab.
No luck for Kane with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bishop Kane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua throws a right and a left that Kane avoids nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kane is defended easily by Rua.
Rua lands an overhand right.
A combination from Rua does no damage.
Kane is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rua sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rua fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice takedown defense from Rua. No joy for Kane on that attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Rua. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kane shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rua as he jumps to the side.
Kane shoots in looking for a takedown but Rua manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kane's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Rua closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kane looks for a takedown but Rua sprawls well.
Rua throws a series of punches but Kane avoids them all with ease.
Rua throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kane.
Rua fails to land with a series of punches.
Rua throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kane sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rua stuffs the takedown.
Some wild striking there from Rua.
Rua rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kane moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kane fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rua avoids it really well and circles away.
Vergil Rua seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kane shoots in looking for a takedown. Rua tries to sprawl out of it but Kane 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kane with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rua to score with a decent uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kane shoots for a double leg takedown but Rua sprawls well. He's pushed Kane's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rua dips to his left and cracks Kane with an uppercut!
Rua is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Kane shoots in for a takedown but Rua shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rua misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rua throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kane shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rua defends it nicely.
Vergil Rua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kane fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rua avoids it really well and circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rua!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kane throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rua was covering up waiting for the punch and Kane finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Kane has gone for a leg lock! Rua slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kane's guard.
Rua must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Kane has his foot on Rua's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rua works his way back into a safe position though.
Rua wanted to stand there but Kane had control of the position.

Kane looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rua has picked Kane up and slammed him! Kane can't keep hold of the triangle and Rua manages to pass to side control!
Rua tries to stand but Kane is controlling his head.
Kane tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rua wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua wants to stand but Kane is controlling his arm.
Kane gets back to half guard.

Kane actively working from the bottom here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rua seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kane moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Kane 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.

Kane has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rua can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vergil Rua dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Bishop Kane's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rua throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kane.
Kane with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rua counters with a series of strikes. Kane will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rua misses with a jab, cross combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rua. Kane does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kane shoots and misses
and Rua counters with a left to the body.
Kane looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rua is fending him off so far but Kane persists. Nope, Rua circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bishop Kane. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rua lands a left and a right that send Kane crashing to the mat, dazed. Rua thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Kane is rocked!

Bishop Kane's cut is getting worse.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kane is wiping some vaseline out of his eye. Rua doesn't give a rats ass about fair play and cracks him with a massive hook to the side of the head! Kane crumples to the floor out cold! The cornerman is going to be in Kane's bad books for that mishap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:39 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Vergil Rua!
Vergil Rua is the new heavyweight champion!