PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Liyak Rhust (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateo Da Vinci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Da Vinci has chosen CONQUEST as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rhust
vs
Da Vinci

184 cm
25
171 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
182 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Grand Champion Apparel
Kemists ↑™ 5x160Q - $149-199

Voodoo Nutrition
KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Liyak Rhust!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mateo Da Vinci!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Steve Erwin and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Da Vinci gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rhust.
A big left from Da Vinci misses.
A swing and a miss from Rhust.
Rhust throws a big shot that misses.
Da Vinci listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rhust takes a swing at Da Vinci's ribcage but misses.
A jab lands there for Rhust.
Rhust misses with a straight left.
Jab from Rhust.
Da Vinci throws out a loose jab but Rhust uses good head movement to avoid it.
Da Vinci looks to land a combination but Rhust avoids it well.
Da Vinci shoots for a takedown but Rhust saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
We've been hearing reports that Rhust has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Da Vinci moves out of range of the strikes.
No luck for Rhust with that takedown attempt.
Rhust with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Vinci scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Da Vinci misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rhust fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Da Vinci manages to avoid it.
Da Vinci misses with a body kick.
Rhust throws a jab but it's blocked by Da Vinci.
Rhust lands a head shot.
Rhust looks to land a right hand but Da Vinci moved out of range.
Da Vinci is looking for the big counter here.

Rhust manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Da Vinci on his heels. He'll look to pass Da Vinci's guard now, I'm sure.
Da Vinci wants to sweep here but Rhust controlling him for the moment.
Rhust trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rhust stops Da Vinci from standing up.

Da Vinci working for a triangle but Rhust defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Vinci wants to sweep here but Rhust controlling him for the moment.
Da Vinci is adopting a defensive guard.
Rhust works over Da Vinci with some ground and pound from guard.
Rhust works a leg free and moves into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rhust is trying to control the action in half guard but Da Vinci is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Da Vinci gets full guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Rhust pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Da Vinci is keeping the position for now.
Rhust postures up in Da Vinci's guard and throws a big left but Da Vinci blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Vinci wants to stand but Rhust is controlling the position.
Rhust stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Da Vinci swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Da Vinci tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rhust throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Da Vinci works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Da Vinci utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Da Vinci looking to control.
Da Vinci is looking to stand up but Rhust isn't so interested in that idea.
Da Vinci is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Da Vinci is looking to land body kicks.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rhust takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Da Vinci misses with a head kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Da Vinci finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Vinci swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rhust.
A countering left hand to the body from Da Vinci misses.
Rhust takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rhust throws an overhand right that lands on Da Vinci's shoulder, as Da Vinci tries to avoid the shot.
Da Vinci with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rhust to score with a decent uppercut.
Da Vinci looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab lands there for Rhust.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rhust or perhaps it was just good defense by Da Vinci, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liyak Rhust. 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.
Da Vinci connects with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liyak Rhust dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rhust misses the shot to the body.
As Rhust backs off Da Vinci throws a huge counter combo but Rhust manages to avoid it all.
Da Vinci scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rhust stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rhust lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Some wild striking there from Rhust.
Rhust uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Da Vinci.
Rhust misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Da Vinci.
Da Vinci closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rhust scores with a nice head shot.
Rhust throws a lazy right hand but Da Vinci sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little jabbing left from Da Vinci on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rhust waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Da Vinci.
As Rhust backs off Da Vinci throws a huge counter combo but Rhust manages to avoid it all.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Da Vinci rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rhust moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice defenses there by Da Vinci.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhust swings for the body but Da Vinci moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Da Vinci! But no joy.
Rhust throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Da Vinci sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rhust closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Da Vinci lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Da Vinci moves out of range as Rhust strikes.
Da Vinci on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rhust darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Da Vinci enables Rhust to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Da Vinci manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Da Vinci wants to sweep here but Rhust controlling him for the moment.
Da Vinci is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhust tries to free his leg and advance position but Da Vinci is retaining full guard.
Rhust postures up in Da Vinci's guard and throws a big left but Da Vinci blocks it.
Da Vinci controls Rhust momentarily but Rhust frees himself.
Rhust is fighting to break Da Vinci's control of his arms but Da Vinci is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Rhust in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rhust preventing the sweep.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rhust postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rhust wants to control from the top but Da Vinci keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Da Vinci lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Rhust on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rhust tries to get out of the position.
Da Vinci lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Vinci throwing strikes but missing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rhust is on top in guard.

Rhust trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rhust wants to control from the top but Da Vinci keeps moving.
Da Vinci is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Da Vinci wants to control but Rhust is keeping him busy.
Da Vinci lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rhust avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Da Vinci.
Da Vinci is thwarting Rhust's attempts to control the position.
Rhust is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhust has his hands clasped together around Da Vinci's back. He's all about the action.
Rhust avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Da Vinci.
Da Vinci trying to mount his opponent but Rhust defends it.
Da Vinci throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Da Vinci is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rhust sees it coming and defends easily.
Da Vinci not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Da Vinci stands up from half guard.
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 Liyak Rhust will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rhust misses with a hook.
Rhust looks to throw the jab but Da Vinci is out of range.
As Rhust backs off Da Vinci throws a huge counter combo but Rhust manages to avoid it all.
Rhust misses the jab.
Mateo Da Vinci is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Da Vinci throws a one two combo.
Rhust fails with a takedown attempt.
Da Vinci scores with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rhust walks into a jab.
Da Vinci shoots in for a takedown but Rhust shows good takedown defense.
Da Vinci uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rhust.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Da Vinci! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhust lands a nice shot to the body.
Liyak Rhust is winning the standup battle so far.
Da Vinci takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Da Vinci avoids the body shot from Rhust.
Jab from Da Vinci.
Rhust shoots in but no luck this time.
Da Vinci throws a right and a left that Rhust avoids nicely.
Rhust throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It seemed like Da Vinci was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Da Vinci ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rhust jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Da Vinci changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Da Vinci looks for the body kick but Rhust saw that one coming.
Da Vinci defending well as Rhust loads up on a big left hand.

Rhust shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Da Vinci manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Da Vinci lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Da Vinci throwing strikes from guard but Rhust blocks nicely.
Rhust keeping moving, preventing Da Vinci from controlling successfully.
Rhust seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Da Vinci trying to control the position from guard on top but Rhust is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Da Vinci working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Da Vinci content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rhust is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Rhust keeping moving, preventing Da Vinci from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Vinci loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Da Vinci is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rhust trying to control the position.
Da Vinci wants to pass the guard but Rhust is keeping the position.
Da Vinci missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Da Vinci is looking to work some ground and pound but Rhust has wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.
Da Vinci throws a head kick that misses.
Mateo Da Vinci has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Da Vinci fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rhust fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Rhust fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Da Vinci sprawls well initially but Rhust persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Da Vinci slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Da Vinci wants to sweep but no luck.
Liyak Rhust is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Da Vinci has control of Rhust's left arm, preventing Rhust from doing any damage.
Rhust trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rhust has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rhust is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Da Vinci looking for a guillotine here but Rhust defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mateo Da Vinci.
Well Rhust has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liyak Rhust!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Liyak Rhust waved his t-shirt featuring Kemists ↑™ 5x160Q - $149-199's logo in front of the cameras.