PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Wedge Xiii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rufus Speed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xiii kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Tenacious D - Master Exploder. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Xiii
vs
Speed

170 cm
25
158 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

177 cm
23
159 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Xtreme Merchandise

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 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Wedge Xiii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Rufus Speed!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Franklyn Lucas and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiii shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Speed throws a low kick but Xiii moves out of range easily.
Xiii shoots in but no luck this time.
Xiii has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wedge Xiii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Speed looks to score with a jab to the body but Xiii is just out of range.
Xiii throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Speed's waist but Speed gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Xiii off to one side.
Speed tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Xiii was well out of range. Poor timing from Speed.
Wedge Xiii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Speed leaves Xiii with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Xiii tries for a takedown but Speed sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Speed scores with a jab to the jaw.
Speed keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Xiii checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Speed throws a front kick aimed at Xiii's knee but Xiii avoids it well.
Xiii throws a leg kick but Speed checks it.
Speed stuffs the takedown attempt from Xiii. Xiii gets slowly back to his feet.
Xiii shoots in looking for a takedown. Speed tries to sprawl out of it but Xiii keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Speed manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speed pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xiii swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Speed swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Xiii takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Xiii defending well as Speed loads up on a big left hand.
Speed misses with a straight right.
Xiii takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Xiii gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Speed is looking to slow Xiii down with leg kicks.
Speed misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xiii.
Xiii misses the shot to the body.
Xiii shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Speed sprawls well. Speed wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Xiii gets slowly back to his feet.
A low kick from Xiii is predictable there
and Speed counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Xiii throws a body kick that misses.
Xiii looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Jab by Speed.
Speed has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xiii misses with a takedown attempt
and Speed cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Xiii defending well as Speed loads up on a big left hand.
Xiii checks a leg kick.
Speed throws a hook to the side of Xiii's head but Xiii sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Xiii has his takedown stuffed
and Speed counters with a nice uppercut.
Xiii misses with a wild body shot.
Speed looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Speed scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Speed throws a front kick aimed at Xiii's knee but Xiii avoids it well.
Xiii has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Speed.
Xiii looks for a takedown but Speed sprawls well.

Xiii shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Xiii thows a huge punch but Speed dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Xiii's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Xiii's back!
Xiii covering up well and avoiding damage.
Xiii is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Xiii prevents Speed from getting a body triangle.
Good control from Speed.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Speed has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Xiii covering up well and avoiding damage.
Xiii tries to roll but Speed sticks to his back.
Speed is not going to allow Xiii to sit and survive in this position.
Xiii is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Speed, as that shot connected.
Speed scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Speed throws a leg kick but Xiii sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Speed ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Xiii.
Speed displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Xiii.

Xiii drives through with a takedown into Speed's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Speed looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Xiii throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Speed works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Speed trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Xiii postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Xiii is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rufus Speed wasn't active enough on the ground.
Xiii misses with a shot to the body
and Speed counters with a straight right hand.
Speed leaves Xiii with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wedge Xiii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Speed lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Speed ducks under a wild hook from Xiii.
Xiii shoots in for a double leg but Speed sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Speed moves out of range as Xiii throws a body kick.
Xiii will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Xiii shoots in looking for a takedown. Speed tries to sprawl out of it but Xiii keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Speed manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Speed scores with a sloppy right hand. Xiii should have avoided that one.
Speed will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiii shoots in looking for a takedown but Speed manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Xiii's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Xiii shoots in and drives through. Speed sprawls well.
Speed throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Speed lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Xiii shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Speed as he avoids it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Xiii throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Xiii ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Speed moves away.
Xiii fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Speed swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Xiii stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Speed.
Xiii is looking to wear down Speed with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Speed misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xiii.
Xiii tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Speed throws a front kick aimed at Xiii's knee but Xiii avoids it well.
Speed throws a body punch but Xiii moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Speed.
Xiii blocks a low kick nicely.
Xiii is trying hard to land a takedown here. Speed sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A solid leg kick lands there for Speed.
Xiii tries for a takedown but Speed circles away easily
letting Speed counter with a right hand.
Speed misses with a low kick.
Xiii checks a low kick from Speed.
Speed waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Xiii.
Nice cross by Speed.
Xiii gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Speed.
The fighters circling - Speed throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rufus Speed is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Speed throws a leg kick which misses Xiii's front leg but catches the back leg as Xiii tries to avoid it.
Xiii uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Speed.
Speed misses with an attempted mid kick.
Speed misses with a body shot.
Speed throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Xiii changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Speed tries to avoid it but Xiii manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Speed to the ground. Speed escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Speed misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speed displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Xiii.
Speed misses with a body shot.
Speed looks to land a left hand but Xiii moved out of range nicely.
Speed throws a sloppy head kick and Xiii moves out of range easily.
Xiii shoots in but no luck this time.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Xiii.
Speed lands a leg kick that knocks Xiii off balance momentarily.
Speed defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Xiii.
Speed fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Xiii has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Speed will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Xiii moves into the clinch.
Speed pushes Xiii back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Xiii is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Speed is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Speed showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Speed lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Xiii shoots in for a takedown but Speed shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Xiii tries to land a front kick but Speed steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice uppercut lands for Speed. That snapped Xiii's head back.
Nice uppercut there from Speed.
Xiii is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Speed fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Xiii shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Speed cracks Xiii with a good jab.

Xiii is rocked!
Xiii shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Xiii uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Speed.
Xiii fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wedge Xiii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xiii checks a low kick from Speed.
Speed jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Speed throws a wild body kick that Xiii sees coming a mile off.
Xiii looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Speed lands a head shot.
Speed swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiii shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Speed sprawls well. Speed wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Xiii gets slowly back to his feet.
Speed tries to land a leg kick but Xiii saw it coming and moves away.
Speed throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Speed scores with a spinning back kick!
Speed has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Speed jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Xiii shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Speed as he avoids it easily.
Xiii shoots in for a takedown but Speed shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Speed lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Xiii at a distance.
Speed connects with a looping right hand.
Xiii uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Speed.
Nice takedown defense from Speed. No joy for Xiii on that attempt.
Xiii misses with a body shot.
Xiii moves forwards but Speed connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Xiii tries for a takedown but Speed sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wedge Xiii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiii swings away with a body shot that misses
and Speed connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Speed lands with a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Speed works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Oh Xiii is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Xiii takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Xiii seems to have got his legs back now.
Xiii shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Speed counters with a low kick, right behind Xiii 's knee.
Speed looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Speed throws out a powerful jab.
Speed throws a body punch but Xiii moves out of range.
Xiii takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Xiii closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Speed to the mat! Speed manages to get full guard.
Speed is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Speed is trying to keep Xiii in close.
Speed is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed looking to control.
Speed pulls Xiii in close to prevent any damage.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Rufus Speed hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Speed misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xiii.
Speed digs a good hook to Xiii's body.
Xiii uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Speed.
Speed slips under a jab.
Xiii tries for a takedown but Speed sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Speed turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Speed walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Xiii checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Speed misses with a body shot.

Xiii closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiii is trying to control the action in half guard but Speed is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Speed manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Speed keeping moving, preventing Xiii from controlling successfully.
Speed pulls Xiii in close to his closed guard and prevents Xiii from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xiii wants to control from the top but Speed keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Speed is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rufus Speed comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Speed winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rufus Speed!