PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marco Noriega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Ruska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Noriega
vs
Ruska

176 cm
23
168 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

170 cm
26
166 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marco Noriega!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dan Ruska!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Luis Engracia and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruska misses with an uppercut
and Noriega cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Noriega misses with a hook
and Ruska counters with a three punch combo that has Noriega backing up. Noriega nods at Ruska to acknowledge the strikes.
Ruska getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ruska misses with a kick to the body.
Noriega scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Noriega swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A jab from Ruska does it's job there.
Ruska fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Noriega is out of range.
Noriega misses with a right hand
and Noriega takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Noriega.
Noriega tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ruska manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Noriega misses.
Noriega throws a solid leg kick but Ruska takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Noriega.
Ruska throws a low kick but Noriega moves out of range easily.
Noriega scores with a body shot.
Ruska throws a leg kick
and Noriega counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Noriega bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Noriega throws an off balance right hand
and Ruska counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Noriega thinking.
A nice combination there by Noriega.
Ruska throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ruska lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Ruska does no damage.
Noriega throws a right hand that misses
and Ruska counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Noriega staying out of range there.

Noriega forces Ruska back against the cage and clinches.
Ruska lands with a left to the head.
Ruska scores with a hook to the body.
Noriega stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Noriega lands a body punch.
Noriega lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ruska looks gassed!
Noriega lands a right hand.
Noriega drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ruska pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sloppy strikes from Ruska. Those never looked like landing.
Ruska slips under a jab.
Ruska misses with an uppercut. Noriega saw that one coming.
Noriega throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ruska makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ruska pivots, looking for a leg kick but Noriega is out of range and Ruska settles back down.
A decent looking cross lands there for Noriega.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Noriega throws a looping overhand right but Ruska ducks down to avoid it.
Noriega throws a poor cross that misses

and Ruska counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruska scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short body shot lands from Noriega as the two fighters clinch.
Noriega digs a right hand underneath Ruska's ribcage. Ruska let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A right hand to the body from Noriega.
Noriega scores with a shot to the side of Ruska's head.
Noriega lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Noriega working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Noriega breaks from the clinch.
Noriega lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Noriega ducks under a wild hook from Ruska.

Noriega scores with a takedown into Ruska's guard.
Ruska preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Noriega wants to control from the top but Ruska keeps moving.
Ruska preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Noriega is in close to Ruska's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Noriega throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ruska works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Noriega has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ruska looking to control.
Noriega postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ruska manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Ruska jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Noriega is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Noriega and Ruska has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Noriega tries to improve position but can't.
You can see the frustration on Noriega's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Noriega gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Noriega gets back to full guard.
Ruska is working Noriega over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ruska trying to control but Noriega is working from the bottom.
Ruska won't allow Noriega to sweep him here.
Ruska has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Noriega is proving hard to escape from.

Ruska is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Noriega is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Noriega has escaped and now he's on top!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Noriega trying to control but Ruska is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Noriega dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ruska connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Noriega uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ruska.
Noriega cracks Ruska with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ruska keeps the fight on the outside.
Noriega moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ruska throws a front kick aimed at Noriega's knee but Noriega avoids it well.
Noriega scores with a hook.
Noriega comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Noriega scores with a jab to the body.
Marco Noriega seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Ruska with that takedown attempt.
Noriega keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Noriega ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ruska moves away.
Ruska is breathing heavily.
Noriega misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ruska misses with a takedown attempt
and Noriega counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice defenses there by Ruska.
Ruska throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Noriega sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruska misses with a looping left.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ruska. That's going to slow Noriega down.
Noriega ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Noriega looks to throw the jab but Ruska is out of range.
Noriega works the jab nicely.
Noriega throws a sloppy head kick and Ruska moves out of range easily.
A big right from Noriega misses.
Noriega throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ruska sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Noriega slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ruska throws a jab when Noriega was well out of range.
Ruska takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ruska takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Noriega misses with an uppercut
and Ruska counters with a one-two to the body.
A jab from Noriega does it's job there.
Noriega's corner calls for a 1-2. Noriega obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ruska misses with a low kick as Noriega jumps back.
Noriega throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ruska on the side of the head.
Noriega lands with a good body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Noriega.
The crowd cheers as Noriega lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ruska doesn't seem phased though.
Noriega looks to throw the jab but Ruska is out of range.
Noriega misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruska.
Noriega just misses with a punch to the body.
Noriega connects with the punch.
Noriega pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ruska back to the cage. Noriega follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Noriega changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Noriega lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ruska takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Noriega fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ruska on the side of the head.
Noriega connects with a crisp jab.
A big left from Noriega misses.
Noriega slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Noriega misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruska.
Noriega swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Noriega lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Noriega cracks Ruska with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega misses with a few strikes there.
Ruska uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ruska has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Noriega scores with a decent looking hook.
Noriega turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Noriega swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Noriega misses with a wild combination.
Ruska throws a body punch but Noriega moves out of range.
Ruska misses with an uppercut.
Noriega misses with a double jab
enabling Ruska to counter with a crisp jab.
Noriega misses with a double jab.
Ruska avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Noriega looks to score with a jab to the body but Ruska is just out of range.
Ruska takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ruska misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Noriega uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ruska.
Noriega lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ruska circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Noriega attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Noriega throws a lazy uppercut
and Ruska counters with a stiff right hand.
Ruska scores with a decent looking hook.
A leg kick checked by Ruska.
Noriega bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ruska scoring well with a low kick there.
Ruska fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Noriega checks it well.
Ruska takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ruska jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Noriega feints a jab promting Ruska to slip. Noriega then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ruska slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ruska throws a head kick that misses
and Noriega makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Noriega misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ruska lands a nice hook to Noriega's body. Noriega takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Noriega takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ruska looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Noriega is fending him off so far but Ruska persists. Nope, Noriega circles away and we're back to standing.
Marco Noriega has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Ruska.
Ruska scores with a nice strike.
Ruska throws a low kick, looking for Noriega's leg but Noriega calmly moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Noriega dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Noriega digs a good hook to Ruska's body.
Ruska is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Noriega.
Ruska walks into a jab.
Noriega uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ruska.
Noriega is looking to clinch but Ruska is avoiding it.
Noriega scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ruska doesn't seem bothered though.
Ruska works over Noriega's head and body with a nice combination.
Noriega tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ruska was well out of range. Poor timing from Noriega.
Ruska tries to bum rush Noriega with a series of wild strikes but Noriega uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Noriega misses with a hook
and Ruska counters with a right hand to the body.
Noriega thows a body shot but no joy.
Noriega scores with a jab to the body.
Noriega throws a head kick that misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Ruska.
Ruska displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Noriega throws out the jab.
Ruska takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Noriega jabs Ruska right on the nose. Ruska blinks but takes it well.
Noriega connects with a nice looking jab.
Ruska pivots, looking for a leg kick but Noriega is out of range and Ruska settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruska throws a hook but Noriega blocks it.
Noriega lands a body shot.
Ruska throws a leg kick but Noriega sees it coming and moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Noriega checks a leg kick.
Noriega swings for the body but Ruska moves out of range.
Ruska throws a front kick aimed at Noriega's knee but Noriega avoids it well.
Ruska misses with a lunging right hand
and Noriega counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Noriega lands a jab to Ruska's midsection.
Noriega fails with the takedown.
Ruska darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Noriega lands with a right hand.
Noriega works the jab nicely.
Noriega tries to work over Ruska's front leg with a kick but Ruska checks it.
Noriega throws a solid leg kick but Ruska takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Noriega.
Noriega tests Ruska's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice takedown defense from Noriega. No joy for Ruska on that attempt.
Marco Noriega is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruska takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Noriega staying out of range there.
Ruska is looking to land body kicks.
Noriega tried to score with a low kick but Ruska checks it.
Noriega rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ruska counters with an outside leg kick.
Ruska looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ruska throws a jab but it's blocked by Noriega.
Ruska misses with a head kick.
Noriega misses with a jab to the body
and Ruska counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Noriega darts in and clinches Ruska up against the cage.
Ruska crunches a lovely knee into Noriega's ribcage.
Ruska tries to land knees in the clinch but Noriega avoids the damage to the body.
Ruska swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ruska.

Ruska breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Noriega lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ruska's sensitive parts.
Horrible takedown by Ruska or perhaps it was just good defense by Noriega which made him look bad.
Ruska misses with a hook
and Ruska takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ruska throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Noriega counters with a two punch combo.
Noriega lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ruska's sensitive parts.
A shot to the liver by Noriega. Beautiful body shot.
Ruska walks into a jab.
Noriega misses with a series of wild punches.
Ruska looks to score with a jab to the body but Noriega is just out of range.
Noriega lands with a hook. Ruska tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ruska misses with a body kick.
Ruska steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Noriega.
Noriega lands a glancing blow to the side of Ruska's head.
A combination from Noriega does no damage.
Ruska thuds his right hand into Noriega's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Dan Ruska has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Noriega closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ruska trying to control but Noriega postures up.
Ruska is looking to improve his position.
Noriega controlling the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ruska gets back to full guard.
Ruska looking to hit a scissor sweep but Noriega is one step ahead there.

Noriega got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ruska has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Noriega has managed to get both his arms back between Ruska's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Noriega showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Noriega has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Noriega!