PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joaquin Ruiz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Trotsky Kravchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ruiz
vs
Kravchenko

170 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

Rio Mma Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joaquin Ruiz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Trotsky Kravchenko!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruiz takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ruiz scores with a one two! Kravchenko had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Kravchenko has managed to clinch.
Kravchenko prevents the takedown attempt.
Ruiz tries to break free but Kravchenko pushes him back against the cage.
Ruiz looking for a takedown.
Kravchenko has Ruiz pressed against the cage.
Kravchenko scores with a knee to the head.
Kravchenko gets underhooks to prevent Ruiz's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquin Ruiz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ruiz manages to break the clinch.

Kravchenko has Ruiz up against the cage in a clinch.
Ruiz tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kravchenko just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ruiz has Kravchenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kravchenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kravchenko pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kravchenko is pressed up against the cage. Ruiz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kravchenko down to the mat. Kravchenko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kravchenko blocks a head kick by Ruiz.
Ruiz plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kravchenko tries to clinch but Ruiz moves out of range.
Kravchenko is looking to clinch but Ruiz is avoiding it.
Kravchenko moves in looking to clinch but Ruiz pushes him off.

Kravchenko rushes Ruiz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ruiz wants to break free but Kravchenko has control.
Ruiz tries to circle away but Kravchenko has him pinned against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kravchenko obliges.
Ruiz takes a knee right on the jaw!
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ruiz tries to circle away but Kravchenko has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruiz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kravchenko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kravchenko cracks Ruiz with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ruiz is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kravchenko wants to clinch up but Ruiz keeps it at a distance.
Ruiz lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Ruiz bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ruiz fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ruiz is breathing heavily.
Kravchenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kravchenko prevents Ruiz from improving position.

Ruiz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Ruiz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kravchenko, who protects the arm well.

Ruiz is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kravchenko is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kravchenko tries to bench press Ruiz off him but Ruiz keeps the position.
Kravchenko is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ruiz has just dragged him back down to the mat.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ruiz closes the distance and clinches up with Kravchenko, looking for a takedown. Ruiz pushes Kravchenko against the cage but Kravchenko circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kravchenko scores with the left hand. Ruiz knows he should have avoided that one.
Ruiz fails to land the takedown.
Kravchenko catches Ruiz with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Ruiz tries to keep at a distance but Kravchenko has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ruiz takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ruiz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ruiz is working for takedown but Kravchenko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ruiz takes a knee right on the jaw!
A knee to the head by Kravchenko.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kravchenko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kravchenko is pressed up against the cage. Ruiz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kravchenko down to the mat. Kravchenko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ruiz has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kravchenko scores with a jab to the jaw.

Ruiz shoots in and bounces Kravchenko off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Ruiz is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Ruiz gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kravchenko slips a jab and a cross from Ruiz.
Kravchenko slaps away a takedown attempt from Ruiz, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Kravchenko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ruiz is working for takedown but Kravchenko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kravchenko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ruiz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ruiz tries for a takedown but Kravchenko manages to get underhooks.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ruiz has Kravchenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kravchenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kravchenko tries to land a knee to the head but Ruiz blocks with his arms.
Kravchenko tries to land a knee to the head but Ruiz blocks with his arms.
Ruiz is trying to break free.
Ruiz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kravchenko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kravchenko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ruiz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Trotsky Kravchenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kravchenko takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kravchenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Joaquin Ruiz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kravchenko tries to clinch but Ruiz moves out of range.

Ruiz scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kravchenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ruiz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kravchenko is trying to control Ruiz's posture but Ruiz avoids it.
Ruiz has knee on belly and moves into mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ruiz is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kravchenko is surviving well by controlling Ruiz's body position as best he can.
Kravchenko working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquin Ruiz dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ruiz drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Ruiz thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ruiz is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ruiz looking to pass the guard.
Ruiz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ruiz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ruiz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ruiz stops Kravchenko from standing up.
Kravchenko wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kravchenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Good shot there by Ruiz.
Kravchenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kravchenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruiz pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruiz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ruiz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruiz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ruiz throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ruiz feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kravchenko's calf.
Ruiz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ruiz lands a right hook to the body.
Ruiz takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Ruiz throws a sloppy head kick and Kravchenko moves out of range easily.
Ruiz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kravchenko tries to clinch but Ruiz is having none of it.
Kravchenko tries to clinch but Ruiz moves out of range.
Ruiz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Ruiz looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kravchenko!
Ruiz lands a heavy elbow.
The referee warns Kravchenko that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Kravchenko is bucking up trying to escape but Ruiz cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kravchenko is desperately trying to improve his position but Ruiz has a good base and remains in mount.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kravchenko can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ruiz lands a heavy elbow.
A nice elbow there by Ruiz.
Ruiz landing strikes from the mount and Kravchenko is in trouble!
Kravchenko wants to control but Ruiz is having none of it.
Ruiz scoring with strikes but Kravchenko is staying in there.
Kravchenko in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Kravchenko tries to reverse the position but Ruiz maintains control.
Ruiz landing shots from mount.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kravchenko is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ruiz scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kravchenko?
Ruiz with shots to the head and body - Kravchenko looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kravchenko is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruiz working Kravchenko over with strikes here.
A nice elbow there by Ruiz.

Ruiz has control of Kravchenko's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Kravchenko regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Ruiz working Kravchenko over with strikes here.
Ruiz raining down shots from the mount!
Ruiz with good strikes from the mount here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ruiz working for a submission but Kravchenko is keeping him at bay.
Kravchenko is desperately trying to improve his position but Ruiz has a good base and remains in mount.
Ruiz scoring with strikes but Kravchenko is staying in there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ruiz lands with some strikes.
Ruiz has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Kravchenko's face.

Ruiz wants to finish this one by submission but Kravchenko is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ruiz.
Kravchenko tries to hold on but Ruiz postures up.
Ruiz is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Ruiz working the ground and pound effectively.
Ruiz punishing his opponent with strikes.
Ruiz breaks from Kravchenko's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Ruiz with shots to the head and body - Kravchenko looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kravchenko is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kravchenko is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquin Ruiz dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ruiz feints and as Kravchenko raises his hands in defense, Ruiz changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Kravchenko is working an open guard so Ruiz takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Ruiz looks for a takedown but Kravchenko sprawls well.

Kravchenko clinches with his opponent.
Kravchenko lands a nice knee to the body.
Kravchenko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ruiz.
Kravchenko connects with a knee to the head.
Kravchenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ruiz tries to break free but Kravchenko pushes him back against the cage.
Ruiz has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kravchenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquin Ruiz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ruiz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ruiz throws a head kick but Kravchenko moves out of range.

Ruiz closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kravchenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ruiz has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
You can see the frustration on Kravchenko's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kravchenko gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruiz wants to pass to mount but Kravchenko is defending the position.
Ruiz is thwarting Kravchenko's attempts to control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ruiz connects with a nice short shot to Kravchenko's temple.
Ruiz uses his free foot to push down on Kravchenko's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kravchenko.
Kravchenko taking shots to the head.
Ruiz putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Ruiz looking to finish Kravchenko with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kravchenko!
Kravchenko is looking to get to half guard.
Ruiz lands a heavy elbow.
Kravchenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
BOOM! Ruiz connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kravchenko wants to hold on but Ruiz pushes him away.
Ruiz connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kravchenko is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ruiz lands a nice shot to the head.
Ruiz lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kravchenko working to try and regain half guard.
Kravchenko tries to hold on but Ruiz postures up.
Ruiz cracks Kravchenko with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Kravchenko in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Ruiz is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Kravchenko to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Kravchenko shrugs it off.
Ruiz is landing with some decent strikes but Kravchenko is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruiz lands a big elbow.
Ruiz lands a big elbow.
Kravchenko controls the position.
Kravchenko is in all sorts of trouble here.
Ruiz postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kravchenko looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ruiz cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Ruiz lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kravchenko hang on?
Ruiz lands with some strikes.
Kravchenko is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kravchenko is bucking up trying to escape but Ruiz cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Ruiz cracks Kravchenko with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Ruiz landing shots from mount.
BOOM! Ruiz connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Ruiz is landing with some decent strikes but Kravchenko is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ruiz putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Kravchenko is desperately trying to improve his position but Ruiz has a good base and remains in mount.
A nice elbow there by Ruiz.
Joaquin Ruiz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ruiz lands a big elbow.
Kravchenko keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kravchenko's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Ruiz lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ruiz landing strikes from the mount.
Ruiz with good strikes from the mount here!
Ruiz has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Kravchenko's face.
Kravchenko really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kravchenko tries to lock up and control but Ruiz gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Trotsky Kravchenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joaquin Ruiz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ruiz working for a guillotine from mount but Kravchenko is in no mood to give up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joaquin Ruiz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ruiz, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joaquin Ruiz!