PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Samak Ruenroeng (ranked 23170 p4p, 366 weight class) and Kassim Suluhu (ranked 23708 p4p, 352 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Ruenroeng
vs
Suluhu

170 cm
20
144 lbs
1 - 3 - 1

165 cm
21
145 lbs
0 - 3 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
World class MT
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

IniTech Nutrition

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 1 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Samak Ruenroeng!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kassim Suluhu!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruenroeng swinging wildly here.
Kassim Suluhu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Suluhu misses with a body shot.
Suluhu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Suluhu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruenroeng manages to avoid it.
Ruenroeng tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Suluhu manages to circle out of the way.
Ruenroeng takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Suluhu throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Ruenroeng counter with a right hand.
Ruenroeng works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Suluhu. Ruenroeng does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruenroeng connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Suluhu misses with a body shot.
Ruenroeng is looking to counter punch.

Suluhu closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ruenroeng did well to prevent Suluhu getting side control.
Ruenroeng tries to roll over but Suluhu keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruenroeng is working hard here to advance position.
Ruenroeng moves into full guard.

Suluhu gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ruenroeng swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Suluhu avoids the body shot from Ruenroeng.

Suluhu shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Suluhu showed some decent athleticism there.
Ruenroeng wants to control but Suluhu is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Suluhu gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ruenroeng gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ruenroeng tries a body shot but Suluhu blocks it.
Ruenroeng unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ruenroeng lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ruenroeng misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Suluhu.
Suluhu is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ruenroeng lands an elbow that stopped Suluhu in his tracks for a moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Suluhu managing to block the knees to the body from Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng tries a knee to the head but Suluhu blocks it.
Ruenroeng lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Suluhu gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng is looking to control Suluhu's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ruenroeng avoid being mounted?
Ruenroeng is looking for a sweep. Suluhu is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Suluhu stands up out of the half guard.
Ruenroeng avoids the body shot from Suluhu.
Ruenroeng lands a head kick. Suluhu smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Suluhu scores with a kick to the midsection.
Suluhu shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ruenroeng as he jumps to the side.
Samak Ruenroeng is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ruenroeng throws a looping overhand right but Suluhu ducks down to avoid it.
Suluhu swats away the attempt to clinch by Ruenroeng.
Suluhu counters with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ruenroeng looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Suluhu throws out a counter right but Ruenroeng avoids it with no problem.
Suluhu is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ruenroeng rather than just go for the knockout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Suluhu.
Suluhu blocks a head kick by Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng throws a low kick but Suluhu avoids it.
Suluhu looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Samak Ruenroeng has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kassim Suluhu.
A head kick by Ruenroeng misses

so Suluhu counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Suluhu stands up and waves to Ruenroeng to follow him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick but Suluhu moves out of range.
Suluhu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Suluhu shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ruenroeng as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kassim Suluhu will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ruenroeng's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ruenroeng misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Suluhu works Ruenroeng's body with a nice hook.
Suluhu shoots in looking for a takedown. Ruenroeng tries to sprawl out of it but Suluhu keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ruenroeng manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice body kick there by Suluhu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruenroeng misses with a head kick.
Suluhu thinks about the counter body kick.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch up but Suluhu circles away and keeps his distance.
Suluhu looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ruenroeng is fending him off so far but Suluhu persists. Nope, Ruenroeng circles away and we're back to standing.
Ruenroeng explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Ruenroeng.
Suluhu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruenroeng manages to avoid it.

Ruenroeng has Suluhu up against the cage in a clinch.
A right hand to the body from Ruenroeng.
Suluhu can't break the clinch.
Suluhu working hard to break the clinch.
Ruenroeng prevents a takedown attempt there.
Samak Ruenroeng has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kassim Suluhu.
Ruenroeng putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Suluhu in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ruenroeng prevents Suluhu from breaking the clinch.
Suluhu's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suluhu wants to break free but Ruenroeng has control.
Ruenroeng lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ruenroeng tries to work over Suluhu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ruenroeng tries a knee to the head but Suluhu blocks it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ruenroeng lands a shoulder strike.
Ruenroeng is pressed up against the cage. Suluhu has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ruenroeng down to the mat. Ruenroeng avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ruenroeng throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Suluhu.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch up but Suluhu circles away and keeps his distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ruenroeng throws a half hearted mid kick.
Suluhu misses with a wild body shot.
Ruenroeng tries to counter by clinching up but Suluhu breaks away and moves out of range.
Ruenroeng connects with a high kick.
Suluhu stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ruenroeng.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Suluhu.
Ruenroeng misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Suluhu fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Suluhu avoids a kick to the body.
Suluhu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ruenroeng moves away.
Suluhu shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ruenroeng as he jumps to the side.
Ruenroeng misses with a head kick.
And Suluhu responds with a good body kick, but Ruenroeng manages to step out the way in time.
Suluhu with a poor takedown
and Ruenroeng counters with a straight right hand.
Suluhu shoots in but Ruenroeng avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch but Suluhu moves away
and Suluhu counters with an inside leg kick.
Ruenroeng looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ruenroeng just misses with a punch to the body.
Suluhu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Suluhu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ruenroeng was well out of range. Poor timing from Suluhu.
Ruenroeng looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Suluhu manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Samak Ruenroeng is winning the standup battle so far.
Suluhu circles away from the clinch attempt

and Suluhu counters with a single leg into guard. Ruenroeng didn't expect that.
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!
Ruenroeng managing to control the position.

Suluhu gets to his feet - Ruenroeng follows without any prompting.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samak Ruenroeng dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Ruenroeng avoids the body shot from Suluhu.
Ruenroeng avoids a kick to the body.
Ruenroeng misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Suluhu will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ruenroeng avoids the body shot from Suluhu.
Suluhu scores with a push kick.
Ruenroeng throws a sloppy head kick and Suluhu moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Ruenroeng.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Suluhu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ruenroeng seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Suluhu shoots in looking for a takedown. Ruenroeng tries to sprawl out of it but Suluhu keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ruenroeng manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Samak Ruenroeng has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kassim Suluhu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruenroeng scores with a spinning back kick!
Suluhu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Suluhu dives in and grabs Ruenroeng's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ruenroeng pushes down on Suluhu's head and hops out.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick that Suluhu semi-blocks.
Ruenroeng lands with a thumping leg kick.
Suluhu tries to land a front kick but Ruenroeng steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
As Suluhu tries to get set, Ruenroeng tries to push him back and clinch up but Suluhu manages to avoid the attempt.
Suluhu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ruenroeng seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Suluhu looks to land a body kick but Ruenroeng moved away.
Suluhu avoids the head kick by Ruenroeng.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suluhu misses with a straight right.

Ruenroeng gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Suluhu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ruenroeng is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ruenroeng lands an elbow inside.
Suluhu is trying to force a seperation but Ruenroeng has the dominant position.
Suluhu tries to score a body lock takedown but Ruenroeng shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ruenroeng prevents Suluhu from breaking the clinch.

Ruenroeng breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Suluhu on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ruenroeng lands a slapping body shot.
Ruenroeng keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Suluhu.
Ruenroeng scores with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suluhu looks for a takedown but Ruenroeng sprawls well.
Ruenroeng throws a sloppy head kick and Suluhu moves out of range easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Suluhu. Ruenroeng does a little dance to reset his feet.
Suluhu takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ruenroeng scores with the left hand. Suluhu knows he should have avoided that one.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick that misses.
Suluhu closes the distance and clinches up with Ruenroeng, looking for a takedown. Suluhu pushes Ruenroeng against the cage but Ruenroeng circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ruenroeng is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Suluhu.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Suluhu is rocked!
Ruenroeng lands a nice hook to Suluhu's body. Suluhu takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Suluhu. That did some damage!
Suluhu shoots in but no luck this time.
Ruenroeng scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Suluhu is still on wobbly legs! Can Ruenroeng finish him?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Suluhu looks for the body kick but Ruenroeng saw that one coming.
Suluhu on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick but Suluhu moves out of range.
Suluhu seems to have recovered his senses.
Suluhu gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Suluhu blocks a head kick by Ruenroeng.
Suluhu connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Suluhu moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Suluhu swats away the attempt to clinch by Ruenroeng.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samak Ruenroeng showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ruenroeng has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samak Ruenroeng!