PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rung Thrym (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timur Rubin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thrym comes to the cage accompanied by The Rains of Castamere. Timur Rubin told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Thrym
vs
Rubin

195 cm
23
248 lbs
11 - 0 - 1

190 cm
24
256 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

REAR NAKED CHOKE NUTRITION
KnockOut

SP Ultimate Nutrition
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 0 - 1, fighting out of London, Rung Thrym!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Timur Rubin!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, jab by Thrym - just one landing.
Rubin lands a nice hook to Thrym's body. Thrym takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thrym looks to land a right hand but Rubin moved out of range.
Thrym is looking to land body kicks.
Thrym takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Thrym looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Thrym throws a poor cross that misses

and Rubin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thrym's guard.
Rubin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rubin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rubin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rubin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rubin trying to control but Thrym is working from the bottom.
Thrym wants to sweep but no luck.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Rubin working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rubin is in close to Thrym's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rubin looking to pass the guard.
Rubin is working Thrym over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rubin trying to control the position from guard on top but Thrym is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Rubin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rubin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Rubin drops an elbow to the side of Thrym's head.
Rubin trying to mount his opponent but Thrym defends it.
Thrym trying to hold on to Rubin's head to control him but Rubin postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thrym tries to get to full guard but Rubin has control of the leg.
Thrym is refusing to be controlled, as Rubin sits in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rubin goes for a double leg but Thrym avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Thrym continues to drive forward.

Thrym closes the distance and pushes Rubin back into the cage.
Thrym misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Thrym fails to land.
The referee calls for Thrym to work.
Rubin misses with a punch on the inside.
Thrym misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thrym is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Thrym creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Thrym swings wildly with an uppercut but Rubin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rubin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Thrym is trying to maintain a safe position but Rubin gets an underhook and turns Thrym into the cage.
Rubin tries a body shot but Thrym blocks it.
Thrym looking to stall.
Rubin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rubin's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rubin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thrym.
Rubin manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Thrym throws a head punch that misses.
Thrym misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thrym tries to work over Rubin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rubin working aggressively here.
Thrym lands an uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A right handed body shot lands from Rubin.
Thrym is trying to maintain a safe position but Rubin gets an underhook and turns Thrym into the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Rubin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Thrym swings wildly with an uppercut but Rubin uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timur Rubin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thrym turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rubin connects with a solid leg kick.
Thrym swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thrym checks a leg kick.
Thrym throws a nice outside leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Thrym.
Rubin drops his hands momentarily and Thrym takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rubin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thrym.
Rubin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thrym moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Thrym feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Rubin lands a glancing blow to the side of Thrym's head.
Rubin misses with a hook. Thrym ducked under it nicely.
Thrym went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rubin takes a kick to the side of the head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Thrym darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A big left from Thrym misses.
Thrym looks to land a body kick but Rubin moved away.
Rubin with the counter takedown but Thrym avoids it easily.
Rubin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Thrym.
Rubin tries a low kick but Thrym avoids it.
Thrym walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rubin.
A left lands for Thrym.
Rubin throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Thrym looks to score with a jab to the body but Rubin is just out of range.
Rubin misses the body punch
and Thrym counters with a low kick, right behind Rubin 's knee.
Thrym looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Rubin feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rubin moves out of range as Thrym throws a body kick.
Rubin tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Rung Thrym is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rubin scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big right from Rubin misses.
Thrym misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thrym scores with a nice right hand.
Rubin throws a hook but Thrym avoids it easily.
Rubin avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rubin throws a low kick, looking for Thrym's leg but Thrym calmly moves out of range.
Thrym is looking to counter with head kicks.
Rubin throws a body punch but Thrym moves out of range.
Thrym throws out a powerful jab.
Thrym explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rubin scores with a takedown into Thrym's guard.
Rubin lands a couple of digs.
Thrym looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thrym avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thrym looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rubin is one step ahead there.
Rubin postures up and lands a big shot to Thrym's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rubin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Thrym wants to get back to his feet but Rubin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Thrym trying to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rubin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rubin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Thrym on the side of the head.
Rubin throws out a powerful jab.
Nice jab there from Rubin.
Thrym wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thrym keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rubin.
Thrym pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rubin changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thrym cracks Rubin with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Thrym misses with a low kick.
Thrym keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rubin misses with a hook. Thrym ducked under it nicely.
Thrym misses with a low kick.
Rubin throws a big shot that misses.
Thrym throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rubin throws a lazy right hand but Thrym sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rubin swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Thrym ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rubin moves away.
Rubin drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Thrym defends it well.
Thrym slips a jab from Rubin.
Rubin connects with a nice looking jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rubin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice uppercut there from Rubin.

Rubin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rubin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rubin misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Timur Rubin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rubin trying to control the action but Thrym is working from the bottom.
Rubin creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Thrym sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Thrym is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rubin advances to full mount.
Thrym wants to control but Rubin is having none of it.
Rubin sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Thrym working to try and regain half guard.
Thrym wants to control but Rubin is having none of it.
Rubin prevents Thrym from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rubin looking to control but Thrym is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rubin thowing shots but they're missing.
Rubin trying to control but Thrym is having none of it.
Poor strikes thrown by Rubin there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's four 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.
Rubin scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Thrym has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Rubin's lack of action.
Thrym wants to get back to full guard.
Rubin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rubin passes to side control.
Rubin throwing strikes but Thrym manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thrym trying to control the action but Rubin is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rubin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rubin misses with a wild body shot.
Rubin avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rubin. Thrym does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thrym swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A jab from Rubin misses.
Thrym avoids the body shot from Rubin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rubin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Thrym's sensitive parts.
A clash of legs there as Rubin blocks the low kick.
Thrym uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rubin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Thrym. Beautiful body shot.
Thrym buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Thrym looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rubin scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rubin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Thrym defends well and Rubin ends up having to push Thrym into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Thrym takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rubin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rubin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rubin throws a leg kick
and Thrym connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thrym thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thrym ducks under a wild hook from Rubin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rubin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thrym counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Thrym fails to land with a series of punches.
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!
Thrym looks to land a right hand but Rubin moved out of range.
Rubin is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Thrym tries a head kick but it misses.
Thrym throws a leg kick

and Rubin counters with a nice double leg into side control. Thrym won't be happy with that.
Thrym managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rubin.
Thrym takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Thrym defending against the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thrym on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Rubin is looking to take a break and control but Thrym is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rubin lands a few punches from side control.
Rubin throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Thrym taking a bit of punishment here - Rubin scoring with strikes.
Thrym taking punishment in the form of punches.
Thrym is not content to let Rubin control the position.
Thrym is pushing Rubin's head away, looking to escape. Rubin manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thrym managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rubin.
Thrym can't do much from the bottom here.
Rubin scoring with punches from side control.
Thrym tries to improve position but can't.
Thrym prevents Rubin from moving into mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rubin working the ground and pound.
Thrym is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timur Rubin dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Thrym misses with a hook. Rubin ducked under it nicely.
Rubin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Thrym misses with a hook. Rubin ducked under it nicely.
Thrym takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Thrym throws a sloppy head kick and Rubin moves out of range easily.
Thrym takes one on the button.
Rubin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thrym looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rubin lands with an overhand left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thrym swings for the body but Rubin moves out of range.
Rubin lands a nice hook to Thrym's body. Thrym takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thrym checks a low kick from Rubin.
Thrym thinks about countering with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rubin takes one on the button.
Thrym walks into a jab.
Thrym motions for Rubin to come forward. Thrym throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And Rubin tries to counter it with a takedown but Thrym pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Rubin misses with a hook.
Rubin connects with a solid leg kick.
Rubin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Thrym scores with a kick to the midsection.
Rubin blocks a head kick by Thrym.
Rubin changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
That kick from Thrym tenderised Rubin's leg. Rubin is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rubin moves out of range of the strikes.
Timur Rubin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rubin throws out a loose jab but Thrym uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice straight punches there by Thrym. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thrym.
Rubin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Thrym as he avoids it easily.
Rung Thrym is winning the standup battle so far.
Rubin misses with an uppercut.
Thrym moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thrym takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rubin takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Rubin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Thrym throws a head kick but Rubin moves out of range.
And Rubin tries to counter it with a takedown but Thrym pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Thrym with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rubin to score with a decent uppercut.
Thrym misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thrym ducks right into an uppercut from Rubin.
Rubin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thrym throws an overhand right that lands on Rubin's shoulder, as Rubin tries to avoid the shot.
Rung Thrym has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thrym misses with a low kick.
Thrym throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Rubin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rubin trying to control the position from guard on top but Thrym is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rubin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rubin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thrym swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thrym looking for a sweep. Not yet Thrym, not yet.
Rubin is stalling in the full guard.
Rubin advances to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Timur Rubin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rubin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 46:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 46:49
Judge William Gold scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timur Rubin!
Timur Rubin is the new super heavyweight champion!
Our winner, Timur Rubin, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.