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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Van Kirkland might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to DJ Vadim - The Terrorist. Vladimir Van Kirkland had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business
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180 cm
28
164 lbs
17 - 9 - 0 |
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180 cm
28
168 lbs
12 - 10 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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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
17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Van Kirkland! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gabriel Rua! The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Igor Prikhodko.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Van Kirkland pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Van Kirkland looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight. Rua pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Van Kirkland back to the cage. Rua follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver. Rua attempts a low kick but it misses it's target. Van Kirkland 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. Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from Rua. Van Kirkland misses with a low kick. Rua misses with a body shot.
Van Kirkland throws a wild combination but nothing lands. Rua swings for the body but Van Kirkland moves out of range.
Rua scores with a punch to the head. Rua throws a sloppy body shot
and Van Kirkland counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head. Rua tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Van Kirkland is able to avoid easily. Van Kirkland throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Van Kirkland gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there. Rua misses with a hook. Nice uppercut there from Van Kirkland. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Rua misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Van Kirkland.
Rua misses with a looping right.
That's one minute gone in the round. Rua swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target. Van Kirkland slips a straight right by Rua. Rua punishes Van Kirkland's body with a nice straight punch. A low kick from Van Kirkland is predictable there letting Rua counter with a right hand. Van Kirkland cracks a nice hook into Rua's ribs. Van Kirkland misses with a head kick.
Rua thuds a left hand into Van Kirkland's body. Van Kirkland misses the shot to the body. Van Kirkland misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rua throws a shot to the body.
Van Kirkland lands with a slapping head kick. Van Kirkland waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rua. Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from Rua. Rua misses with a head kick.
Rua moves into the clinch successfully.
A bit of stalling here from Rua.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Van Kirkland misses with a body punch.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Rua prevents a body shot from Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland misses with a hook from the clinch. Van Kirkland swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rua prevents a body shot from Van Kirkland. Rua's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button! Rua lands a left hand that snaps the head of Van Kirkland backwards. Van Kirkland goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rua lands an elbow inside that Van Kirkland shrugs off. Van Kirkland throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ruas head. Van Kirkland lands with a good tight uppercut to the head. Van Kirkland misses with a punch to the body.
Van Kirkland breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat. Rua connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe. Rua looks to score with a combo but nothing lands. Rua throws an overhand right that lands on Van Kirkland's shoulder, as Van Kirkland tries to avoid the shot. Rua throws a front kick aimed at Van Kirkland's knee but Van Kirkland avoids it well. A combination from Van Kirkland does no damage. Van Kirkland's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Van Kirkland duly obliges.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Rua scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Van Kirkland doesn't seem bothered though. Rua throws a leg kick but Van Kirkland checks it. Van Kirkland throws a sloppy head kick and Rua counters with a good low kick that Van Kirkland was not able to check. Rua scores with a leg kick.
Rua thumps Van Kirkland with a low kick. An inside leg kick lands from Rua. Van Kirkland avoids a punch combination nicely.
Van Kirkland throws a sloppy head kick and Rua moves out of range easily. Some bone on bone action there as Van Kirkland checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one. Some bone on bone action there as Van Kirkland checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one. Van Kirkland connects with a body shot that sends Rua's belly button to the back. Van Kirkland rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rua moves out of range and avoids them all easily. Van Kirkland dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rua. That did some damage! Rua uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook. Van Kirkland uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rua.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Van Kirkland throws a body kick that misses. Rua connects with a solid leg kick. Van Kirkland avoids the body shot from Rua.
Van Kirkland tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. This has been an exciting period of action! Rua buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rua avoids the head kick by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target. Rua avoids the head kick by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland wants to land a leg kick but Rua is out of range. Rua moves into range and lands a nice leg kick. Rua is looking to chop away at Van Kirkland's legs. Rua throws a big shot that misses. The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action! Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from Rua. Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland slips a straight right by Rua. Rua slips a jab and a cross from Van Kirkland.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Gabriel Rua will probably get the nod. OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from Rua. Rua takes the fight into the clinch. Rua tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Van Kirkland lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rua backwards. Rua comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush. Van Kirkland lands with a short shot to the head. Rua blocking some punches.
Rua misses with an elbow over the top. Van Kirkland tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. Rua misses with a body punch.
A short right from Van Kirkland on the inside. Rua lands a nice uppercut. Van Kirkland is trying to break the clinch but Rua has him pressed against the cage. A short right from Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage. A body shot lands from Van Kirkland.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so! Rua lands with a short head shot on the inside. Van Kirkland misses with a short punch on the inside.
That's one minute gone in the round. Van Kirkland wants to stall.
Van Kirkland lands on the inside with an uppercut. Rua lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon. Van Kirkland tries to roll over but Rua keeps him under control. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now. Van Kirkland has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rua is working away from the top position though. Rua is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Van Kirkland sees it coming and defends easily. Van Kirkland is staying active underneath Rua, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Van Kirkland wants to improve his position but Rua is controlling well.
Rua is pressing down on Van Kirkland's thigh, looking to free his foot. Van Kirkland is holding on for now. Van Kirkland wants to control but Rua is keeping busy.
Rua is pressing down on Van Kirkland's thigh, looking to free his foot. Van Kirkland is holding on for now. Van Kirkland is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up. Van Kirkland moves into range and lands a nice leg kick. Rua throws a body punch but Van Kirkland moves out of range. Van Kirkland throws a head kick that misses. Rua misses with a leg kick. Rua lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head. Rua clinches up with Van Kirkland and pushes him back against the cage. Stalling in the clinch from Van Kirkland.
Rua trying to stall but Van Kirkland improves his position.
Rua throws a head punch that misses. Van Kirkland goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rua pushes off an throws an elbow but Van Kirkland leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage. A head punch blocked on the inside by Rua. Van Kirkland blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Van Kirkland swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Van Kirkland struggles to land a body shot inside as Rua controls his hands.
Vladimir Van Kirkland has scored more points in the clinch so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round. A nice glancing elbow lands by Rua.
It looks like Vladimir Van Kirkland has been cut. Rua presses Van Kirkland against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot. Rua wants to take the fight to the mat but Van Kirkland manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch. A quick uppercut on the inside from Van Kirkland. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Rua is looking to control Van Kirkland's arms but Van Kirkland gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rua has his back to the cage. The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows. Rua scores with a shoulder strike. Van Kirkland tries to work over Rua's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. Rua scores with an uppercut up the middle. A frustrated look appears on Van Kirkland's face as he tries to break the clinch. Rua taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch. As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action. Rua throws a punch but it's blocked by Van Kirkland. Rua just leaning against Van Kirkland, taking a breather. Van Kirkland misses with a short punch on the inside. Van Kirkland tries a body shot but Rua blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Gabriel Rua will probably get the nod - 10:9. The cut man is working on Vladimir Van Kirkland's cut. The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Van Kirkland throws a sloppy head kick and Rua moves out of range easily. Van Kirkland throws a right hand that misses
and Rua counters with a quick right hand to the jaw. Rua steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland moves out of range as Rua strikes. Rua stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland connects with a leg kick. Rua looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it. Rua uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Van Kirkland has time to react. Van Kirkland connects with a high kick. Van Kirkland throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rua scores with a leg kick.
Van Kirkland throws a head kick but Rua moves out of range.
Vladimir Van Kirkland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things. Rua lands a head shot. Rua throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land. Van Kirkland looks to throw a body kick and Rua makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range. Van Kirkland takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Van Kirkland throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
That's one minute gone in the round. Van Kirkland uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rua.
Rua slips a jab and a cross from Van Kirkland.
A big left from Van Kirkland misses. Van Kirkland showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rua.
Van Kirkland takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A shot to the liver by Van Kirkland. Beautiful body shot. Rua has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight. A head kick misses from Van Kirkland. Some bone on bone action there as Van Kirkland checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one. Rua throws out a loose jab but Van Kirkland uses good head movement to avoid it. Van Kirkland connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there. Van Kirkland takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards. Van Kirkland shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down. Van Kirkland throws a sloppy head kick and Rua moves out of range easily. Rua just misses with a punch to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Rua uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Kirkland.
Gabriel Rua is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight. A looping hook to the body misses from Van Kirkland. Rua does a little dance to reset his feet. Vladimir Van Kirkland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! Nice uppercut there from Rua. Van Kirkland works the jab nicely. Rua connects with a single shot there. Van Kirkland takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming. Van Kirkland misses with a two punch combination.
Van Kirkland keeps the fight on the outside. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Van Kirkland misses with a straight right. Van Kirkland circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rua misses with the combination.
Rua keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland misses with an attempted mid kick.
Van Kirkland throws a chopping leg kick but Rua manages to avoid taking any serious damage. Van Kirkland connects with a high kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Rua is looking to clinch but Van Kirkland is avoiding it.
Van Kirkland tries a head kick but it misses.
Rua cracks a nice hook into Van Kirkland's ribs. Rua tests Van Kirkland's chin there with a solid looking shot. Van Kirkland misses with a double jab.
Rua moves into range and clinches up with Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rua lands with a right to the head. Van Kirkland swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rua scores with a nice hook to the head. A head punch blocked on the inside by Rua. Van Kirkland scores with a nice hook to the head. Van Kirkland tries to work over Rua's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. Rua blocks a punch to the side of the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Van Kirkland manages to break the clinch.
Van Kirkland pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rua fakes a jab and scores with a low kick. Rua cracks the inside of Van Kirkland's front leg. Rua lands a jab to the nose. Van Kirkland misses with a wild combination.
Van Kirkland on the wrong end of a nice hook. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Rua scores with a jab to the head.
Van Kirkland throws a series of punches but Rua moves out of range. Van Kirkland throws a leg kick that is checked and Rua counters with a straight right hand. As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action. Van Kirkland throws a head kick but Rua moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily. Van Kirkland takes one on the button. Rua thumps Van Kirkland with a low kick. Rua digs a good body shot into Van Kirkland's ribs.
And that's the end of the fight! I would just about give that final round to Gabriel Rua. I've got Rua 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:30 Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:30 Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gabriel Rua! A determined Gabriel Rua didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!
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S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
89% |
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