PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between AXEL LIMA (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Rutten (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that AXEL LIMA has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily AXEL LIMA seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

LIMA
vs
Rutten

170 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

166 cm
22
139 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, AXEL LIMA!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Joe Rutten!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Chris Edwards and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LIMA shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rutten pinned against the cage. Rutten gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
LIMA dodges the punch combination from Rutten.
Both fighters circling a little - Rutten finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
LIMA misses with an attempted mid kick.

Rutten pushes LIMA up against the cage in a clinch.
LIMA can't get the takedown.
Rutten wants to break the clinch but can't.

Rutten has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed LIMA clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
LIMA is covering up but some of the strikes from Rutten are getting through and doing damage.
LIMA holding on to Rutten's left wrist, preventing the choke.
Rutten controlling the position well here. LIMA rolled but Rutten kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LIMA manages to scramble and ends up in full guard, under a barage of strikes . Great composure from LIMA.
LIMA has control of Rutten's left arm, preventing Rutten from doing any damage.
Rutten throwing strikes from guard but LIMA blocks nicely.

Rutten stands up from LIMA's guard - Rutten perhaps looking for a knockout.
Rutten looks gassed!

That's two 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.
LIMA will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AXEL LIMA. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rutten has managed to clinch.
Rutten pushes off an throws an elbow but LIMA leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Rutten gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
LIMA is trying to control the position but Rutten postures up.
Rutten throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as LIMA works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

LIMA had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Rutten is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. LIMA Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Rutten's back instead.

LIMA working for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutten is trying to stand back up.
LIMA avoiding Rutten 's attempts to control his hands.
Rutten holding both LIMA 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rutten trying to control the hands but LIMA won't let him.
Rutten has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Rutten dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rutten is looking to clinch.
A head kick misses from Rutten.
Rutten shoots for a takedown but LIMA saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
LIMA doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rutten counters with a three punch combo that has LIMA backing up. LIMA nods at Rutten to acknowledge the strikes.
LIMA shoots in but no luck this time.
LIMA misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice sprawl there from Rutten as LIMA shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AXEL LIMA. That's going to take a lot out of him.
LIMA fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rutten clinches.

Rutten drags the fight down to the ground.
LIMA trying to control but Rutten is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rutten uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rutten scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Rutten tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rutten has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rutten trying to control the action but LIMA is working from the bottom.

Rutten has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rutten clinches with his opponent.

LIMA wants the takedown. Rutten is fighting it off but LIMA persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Rutten's guard against the cage.
Rutten lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for LIMA!

Rutten goes for an armbar but LIMA turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from LIMA.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rutten throws his legs up looking for a submission but LIMA uses it to pass to side control.
Rutten is trying to get back to his feet.
Rutten tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
LIMA has the hooks in. Rutten is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
LIMA is controlling the position but Rutten somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Rutten trying to control here.
Rutten tries to get to full guard but LIMA has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Rutten showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

LIMA doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rutten counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rutten throws a strike but LIMA avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
LIMA is trying to keep Rutten in close.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rutten. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Rutten gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Rutten closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming LIMA to the mat! LIMA manages to get full guard.
Rutten trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
LIMA trying to control the position.

LIMA is working an open guard so Rutten takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LIMA gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Rutten counters with a takedown into side control.
LIMA is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Rutten stands up.
Rutten doesn't manage to clinch there - LIMA circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LIMA with a lazy takedown attempt

and Rutten counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AXEL LIMA. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rutten with the ground and pound but LIMA regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

Rutten postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for LIMA to stand up.
Rutten throws the left hand but LIMA avoids the punch easily.

Rutten takes the fight into the clinch.
LIMA looking for a takedown.
LIMA trying to stall but Rutten improves his position.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rutten.
Rutten throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Rutten has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics LIMA uses from the top position.
Rutten is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and LIMA dives into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutten wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Rutten tries to buck LIMA off but LIMA is having none of it.
Rutten is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
I wouldn't like to be where Rutten is right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
LIMA is looking to take a break and control but Rutten is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rutten is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked LIMA off and has taken his back!
AXEL LIMA has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rutten punishes LIMA with strikes from the back mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

LIMA defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Rutten is throwing shots to the body but LIMA manages to wriggle free. Rutten pounces on him again and ends up in LIMA's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Rutten comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rutten has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 26:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Rutten!