PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zane Rutledge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Tapout (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mr Tapout has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rutledge
vs
Tapout

209 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

181 cm
19
130 lbs
3 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Zane Rutledge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Mr Tapout!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Sam Margolis and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tapout fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rutledge seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Tapout lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rutledge circles away quickly and effectively.
Rutledge was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tapout throws a right hand that Rutledge ducks under and follows up with a left that Rutledge also avoids with ease.
Rutledge throws a big counter combination but Tapout scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Rutledge dodges the punch combination from Tapout.
No joy there for Tapout, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rutledge fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tapout has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Rutledge moves out of range as Tapout strikes.
Rutledge went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Rutledge really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Tapout misses with a series of wild punches.
As Tapout looks to move away, Rutledge throws a big counter combo but Tapout just gets out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rutledge fails with a takedown attempt.
Tapout throws a nice looking combination but Rutledge bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rutledge appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapout throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tapout misses with a wild combination.
Tapout misses with a combination

and Rutledge counters with a single leg into guard. Tapout didn't expect that.
Rutledge in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rutledge postures up in Tapout's guard and throws a big left but Tapout blocks it.
Rutledge working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tapout's head.
Rutledge working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tapout really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rutledge. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Rutledge stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Tapout scores with a jab to the body.

Rutledge closes the distance and clinches.

Rutledge escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutledge slips a jab and a cross from Tapout.
It looked like Rutledge was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tapout misses with a combination
and Rutledge counters with an inside leg kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Tapout!
Tapout misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A punch combination from Tapout misses.
It looked like Rutledge was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Rutledge tries for a takedown but Tapout sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zane Rutledge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tapout misses with a combination
and Rutledge counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Sloppy strikes from Tapout. Those never looked like landing.
Tapout lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rutledge circles away quickly and effectively.
Tapout throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rutledge throws a right and a left that Tapout avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapout throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rutledge slips a jab and a cross from Tapout.
Tapout falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rutledge counters with a takedown into side control.

Rutledge is trying to get an arm triangle but Tapout is defending well.
Rutledge working the ground and pound but Tapout is defending the strikes.

Rutledge is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tapout knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rutledge 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rutledge tries for a kimura but Tapout is defending well.

Rutledge tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Rutledge stands up and beckons Tapout to his feet.
The fighters circling - Tapout throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mr Tapout will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tapout swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rutledge.
Tapout uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rutledge has time to react.
Mr Tapout seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rutledge avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rutledge went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Rutledge dodges the punch combination from Tapout.
As Tapout looks to move away, Rutledge throws a big counter combo but Tapout just gets out of the way.
Sloppy strikes from Tapout. Those never looked like landing.
It looked like Rutledge was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Tapout looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rutledge has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tapout throws a series of punches but Rutledge moves out of range.
Rutledge slips a jab and a cross from Tapout.
Tapout throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rutledge avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapout misses with a combination
and Rutledge counters with a series of strikes. Tapout will be more careful next time no doubt.
Tapout throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tapout tries to bum rush Rutledge with a series of wild strikes but Rutledge uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tapout moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mr Tapout seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Danga de danga de dang - Rutledge scores with a four punch combination!
Rutledge misses with a takedown attempt - Tapout sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tapout will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tapout rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rutledge moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tapout misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rutledge fails with a takedown attempt.
Tapout has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A swing and a miss from Tapout.
Rutledge gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Mr Tapout is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tapout misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tapout misses with a straight left.

Tapout gets tackled into the cage by Rutledge. Rutledge maintains the clinch.

Rutledge's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rutledge avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rutledge tries to clinch up but Tapout circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rutledge is defended easily by Tapout.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zane Rutledge. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapout jabs Rutledge to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tapout misses with a two punch combination.
As Tapout looks to move away, Rutledge throws a big counter combo but Tapout just gets out of the way.
Tapout misses with a series of wild punches.
As Tapout looks to move away, Rutledge throws a big counter combo but Tapout just gets out of the way.
Tapout throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rutledge.
Tapout goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Some wild striking there from Tapout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapout throws a series of punches but Rutledge avoids them all with ease.
It looked like Rutledge was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Rutledge shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Tapout kicks off Rutledge and gets to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rutledge doesn't manage to clinch there - Tapout circles away.
Tapout misses with a double jab.
Rutledge is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Tapout.
Tapout throws a combination. Rutledge tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Tapout misses with a lunging right hand
and Rutledge counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tapout misses with a combination
and Rutledge counters with a left and a right that stings Tapout.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Tapout showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Tapout fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tapout looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rutledge tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A combination from Tapout does no damage.
It looked like Rutledge was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Tapout tries to bum rush Rutledge with a series of wild strikes but Rutledge uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rutledge seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Tapout throws a combination. Rutledge tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Tapout will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As Tapout looks to move away, Rutledge throws a big counter combo but Tapout just gets out of the way.
Rutledge shoots in for a takedown but Tapout shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes from Tapout. Those never looked like landing.
Rutledge appears to be looking for a big counter.
Tapout throws a combination that misses
and Rutledge counters with an inside leg kick.
Tapout misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rutledge gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tapout takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tapout wants to break the clinch but can't.

Rutledge breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Tapout, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rutledge seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Tapout fails to land with a series of punches.
Tapout lands with a straight right. Rutledge didn't see that one coming.
Tapout feints a jab promting Rutledge to slip. Tapout then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Rutledge slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Zane Rutledge is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rutledge avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rutledge appears to be looking for a big counter.
Tapout misses with a two punch combination.

Rutledge closes the distance and clinches.

Rutledge breaks from the clinch.
Tapout throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rutledge.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapout throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Rutledge counter with a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Crunch! Rutledge slams his shin into Tapout's torso.
No joy there for Tapout, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Rutledge moves into the clinch.
Tapout has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Rutledge pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tapout looks to land a combination but Rutledge avoids it well.

Rutledge has Tapout up against the cage in a clinch.

Rutledge escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tapout misses with a double jab.
Tapout fails to land with a series of punches.
Rutledge went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Rutledge has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapout throws a series of punches but Rutledge moves out of range.
Rutledge moves out of range of the strikes.
Rutledge takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tapout lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rutledge backs up against the cage.
Rutledge has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tapout lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Tapout.
A slow jab from Tapout misses its intended target.
Rutledge misses with a two punch combination.
Rutledge uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tapout.
Tapout fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A big right from Tapout misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rutledge shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tapout pinned against the cage. Tapout gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zane Rutledge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tapout has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tapout swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rutledge counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tapout looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tapout throws a body punch but Rutledge moves out of range.
Tapout misses with the combination.
Rutledge went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Zane Rutledge has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice combination there by Tapout.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mr Tapout comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tapout 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mr Tapout!