PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dan Ruska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Deki Stankovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruska has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Deki Stankovic enters the cage!

Ruska
vs
Stankovic

170 cm
24
166 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

173 cm
23
163 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dan Ruska!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Deki Stankovic!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stankovic throws the left hand but Ruska avoids the punch easily.
Stankovic missing with a left hand there. Ruska was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stankovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stankovic has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ruska finds it's way round the side to connect with Stankovic's head.
Ruska buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Stankovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Stankovic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ruska scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A telegraphed right hand from Stankovic misses the target.
Stankovic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ruska is fending him off so far but Stankovic persists. Nope, Ruska circles away and we're back to standing.
Stankovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ruska connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Stankovic takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ruska is breathing heavily.
Stankovic fails with a takedown attempt.
Ruska moves away from the strike by Stankovic.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stankovic throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ruska cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stankovic misses with a double jab
and Ruska counters with a nice low kick that buckles Stankovic's knee momentarily.
Stankovic throws a big shot that misses.
Stankovic tries to clinch up but Ruska circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stankovic doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ruska connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dan Ruska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Deki Stankovic.
Stankovic throws a jab when Ruska was well out of range.
Ruska slips under a jab from Stankovic.
Ruska lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Stankovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruska.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ruska.
Ruska connects with a right hand. Stankovic shakes it off.
Stankovic with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stankovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stankovic has his takedown stuffed
and Ruska counters with a thumping low kick.
Stankovic walks into a left hand.
Stankovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ruska cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Ruska has Stankovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Ruska lands a nice uppercut.
Stankovic wants to break free but Ruska has control.
Stankovic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ruska fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ruska. Stankovic shrugs it off though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruska lands with a cross.
Stankovic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ruska counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ruska throws a good cross that connects.
Ruska displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stankovic.
Ruska swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Stankovic.
Stankovic misses with a hook to the body
and Ruska counters with a good low kick that Stankovic was not able to check.
Danga de danga de dang - Ruska scores with a four punch combination!
Stankovic tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Ruska makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Stankovic really felt that one!

Ruska clinches up with Stankovic and pushes him back against the cage.
Stankovic takes a knee right on the jaw!
Stankovic tries for a takedown. No joy.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stankovic.
Ruska misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stankovic lands a takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Stankovic thows a big elbow that misses.
Stankovic really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ruska. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Ruska working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stankovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stankovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stankovic connects with a couple of short punches.
Ruska is trying to keep Stankovic in close.
Ruska preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stankovic trying to control but Ruska is working from the bottom.
Ruska wants to sweep here but Stankovic controlling him for the moment.
Stankovic throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stankovic works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ruska is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Stankovic misses its intended target.
Stankovic has his takedown stuffed
and Ruska counters with an outside leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Stankovic.
A big right from Stankovic misses.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Stankovic shoots for a double leg takedown but Ruska sprawls well. He's pushed Stankovic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stankovic stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ruska.
Ruska thuds a left hand into Stankovic's body.
Ruska lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stankovic misses with a straight right.
Stankovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stankovic fails with the takedown
and Ruska counters with a nice uppercut.
Ruska scores with a nice right hand.
Ruska moves out of range as Stankovic strikes.
Ruska scores with a hook to the body. Stankovic takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Stankovic looks to throw the jab but Ruska is out of range.
Stankovic darts in trying to clinch
and Ruska counters with a three punch combo that has Stankovic backing up. Stankovic nods at Ruska to acknowledge the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Ruska dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stankovic throws a combination that misses
and Ruska counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stankovic throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ruska connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stankovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stankovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stankovic doesn't manage to clinch there - Ruska circles away.
A telegraphed right hand from Stankovic misses the target.
Stankovic throws a series of punches but Ruska avoids them all with ease.
Ruska is looking to slow Stankovic down with leg kicks.
Good exchange - Ruska coming out on top.
Stankovic misses with a wild body shot.
Ruska defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stankovic.
Stankovic takes one on the button.
Ruska scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stankovic drops his hands momentarily and Ruska takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ruska throws a right and a left that Stankovic avoids nicely.
Ruska gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Stankovic.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stankovic scores with a decent looking hook.
Stankovic moves in looking to clinch but Ruska pushes him off.
Deki Stankovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ruska throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stankovic lands a nice shot that snaps Ruska's head back.
Ruska slips a straight right by Stankovic.
Ruska on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ruska ducks under a wild hook from Stankovic.
Stankovic shoots and misses
and Ruska counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ruska's corner calls for a 1-2. Ruska obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Stankovic on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stankovic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ruska moves into the clinch.
Dan Ruska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Deki Stankovic.
Stankovic goes for a takedown attempt but Ruska pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ruska connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stankovic fails with the takedown
and Ruska counters with a nice low kick that buckles Stankovic's knee momentarily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ruska.
Stankovic misses with a double jab
and Ruska counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stankovic with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ruska counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ruska cracks Stankovic with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ruska slips under a jab.
Stankovic swings for the body but Ruska moves out of range.
Ruska dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stankovic. That did some damage!
Ruska slips a straight right by Stankovic.
Ruska avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stankovic doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ruska counters by clinching up.
Ruska lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ruska working Stankovic over with knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Ruska.
Stankovic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ruska avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stankovic wants a takedown but no success here.
Stankovic wants a takedown but no success here.
Ruska lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stankovic backwards.
Ruska pushes Stankovic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stankovic tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ruska throws a punch but it's blocked by Stankovic.
Stankovic working hard to break the clinch.

Stankovic has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Ruska clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stankovic connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Ruska to escape the position.

Ruska is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
A slow jab from Stankovic misses its intended target.
Some wild striking there from Ruska.
Ruska slips under a jab.
Stankovic shoots and misses
and Ruska counters with a good low kick that Stankovic was not able to check.
Ruska displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stankovic.
Stankovic throws a hook but Ruska avoids it easily.
Ruska avoids the head kick by Stankovic.
Ruska staying out of range there.
Ruska throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Ruska uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stankovic.
Ruska moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Ruska cracks Stankovic with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A good leg kick by Ruska.
Stankovic misses with a hook. Ruska ducked under it nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Stankovic misses the target.
Ruska takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stankovic misses with an uppercut. Ruska saw that one coming.
Ruska moves out of range as Stankovic strikes.

Ruska rushes Stankovic and presses him up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ruska creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ruska keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stankovic's efforts to push away.
Ruska landing knees to the body.
Ruska lands a hook that snaps the head of Stankovic backwards.
Ruska prevents Stankovic from breaking the clinch.
Stankovic tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stankovic takes a knee right on the jaw!
Stankovic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ruska pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stankovic misses with a body punch
and Ruska counters with a three punch combo that has Stankovic backing up. Stankovic nods at Ruska to acknowledge the strikes.
Ruska displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stankovic throws out the jab.
Stankovic misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Ruska 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. 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.

Stankovic with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stankovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ruska lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Stankovic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ruska counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good leg kick by Ruska there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A head kick by Stankovic misses
and Ruska counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A lazy left from Ruska finds it's target.
Ruska keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Stankovic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ruska counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ruska darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ruska scores with a jab to the head.
Ruska connects with a right hand. Stankovic shakes it off.
Ruska misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stankovic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ruska counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dan Ruska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Deki Stankovic.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ruska scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stankovic doesn't seem bothered though.
Stankovic has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ruska ducks under a wild hook from Stankovic.
Ruska ducks under a wild hook from Stankovic.
Stankovic misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruska moves into range and connects with a jab.
Stankovic throws a head kick but Ruska moves out of range.
Stankovic is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Stankovic misses the body punch
and Ruska counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stankovic takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stankovic takes one on the button.
A jab from Stankovic misses.
Stankovic tries to clinch up
and Ruska counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stankovic on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ruska displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stankovic throws out the jab.
Stankovic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ruska!
Stankovic lands a really nice looking cross but Ruska seems unphased.
Stankovic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ruska was well out of range. Poor timing from Stankovic.
Stankovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stankovic looks to land a left hand but Ruska moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Stankovic fails with the takedown
and Ruska counters with a stiff right hand.
Ruska scores with a three punch combo!
Ruska dips to his left and cracks Stankovic with an uppercut!
Ruska thuds his shin into the meat of Stankovic's side.
Ruska throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Stankovic misses with a combination
and Ruska counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ruska lunges at Stankovic with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Stankovic's hand.
Stankovic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ruska swinging wildly here.
Ruska ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stankovic looks to throw the jab but Ruska is out of range.
Stankovic tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Ruska counters with a good low kick that Stankovic was not able to check.
Stankovic throws a right hand that Ruska ducks under and follows up with a left that Ruska also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ruska rushes Stankovic and presses him up against the cage.
Ruska lands an uppercut.
Stankovic tries to pull guard but Ruska holds him up against the cage and eventually Stankovic drops back down to his feet.
Ruska prevents a takedown attempt there.

Stankovic has picked Ruska up - he's going for a ride! Stankovic dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Ruska is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stankovic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stankovic's back!
Ruska has Stankovic flattened out and is raining down punches.
Ruska is looking to control Stankovic but Stankovic is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Stankovic is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Stankovic grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Stankovic staying busy and making it hard for Ruska to control.
Stankovic is trying to stand back up.
Stankovic tries to roll but Ruska sticks to his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ruska has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Stankovic is trying to get back to his feet but Ruska has full control of the position and if anything, Stankovic has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Stankovic is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Ruska off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Stankovic showing good submission defense here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Stankovic manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.
Ruska clobbers Stankovic with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Stankovic fails with the takedown

and Ruska counters by moving into the clinch.
Stankovic fails to pull guard.
Dan Ruska is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stankovic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stankovic is looking to break free of the clinch but Ruska has double underhooks.
Deki Stankovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ruska pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ruska avoids the body shot from Stankovic.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Ruska showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ruska, 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Ruska!