PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Saul Rubenstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mighty Mike (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saul Rubenstein has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Rubenstein
vs
Mike

180 cm
26
180 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

167 cm
28
178 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Saul Rubenstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mighty Mike!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, John Roberts and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mike.
A bit of a lull in the action here.

Mike is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rubenstein knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Mike is trying to get an arm triangle but Rubenstein is defending well.

Mike goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rubenstein has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Mike but great work by Rubenstein.
Mike tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Rubenstein decides to stand back up.

Rubenstein gets a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mike looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mike is looking for a sweep. Rubenstein is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Mike is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rubenstein pulls his head out easily.
Mike should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Mike looking for submissions off his back.
Rubenstein trying to control from half guard but Mike is working away.
Rubenstein wants to stand up but Mike is controlling the position.

Rubenstein is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mike is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rubenstein works his way into full mount!
Mike is trying to reverse the position but instead Rubenstein has taken his back - oops!

Rubenstein patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Rubenstein has the hooks in. Mike is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Rubenstein looking for the choke but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rubenstein looking for the RNC.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mike tries to escape but Rubenstein has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Rubenstein is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Mike has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Mike is trying to break free.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Rubenstein controlling the positon.
Rubenstein is trying to stick to Mike's back but Mike is turning into Rubenstein. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Rubenstein's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Mike.
Rubenstein manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mike manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rubenstein is looking to stand up but Mike won't let him.

Mike working for submissions but it's allowed Rubenstein to get to half guard.

Mike looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rubenstein seems to be working for a kimura but Mike defends the submission attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Mike looking for submissions off his back.
Rubenstein takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rubenstein is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mike is just riding it out for now. Rubenstein eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saul Rubenstein dominated that 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.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mike.

Mike goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rubenstein rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Mike's guard! Nice work there by Rubenstein!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rubenstein trying to control the position from guard on top but Mike is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rubenstein will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rubenstein with a nice head shot there.

Mike working for a triangle but Rubenstein defends it easily.
Rubenstein wants to control from the top but Mike keeps moving.
Rubenstein working some strikes from top position.
Saul Rubenstein overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rubenstein's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Rubenstein slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Mike regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mike looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rubenstein is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rubenstein lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mike looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Rubenstein is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Mike looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rubenstein is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mike actively working from the bottom here.

Rubenstein is looking for a kimura but Mike is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rubenstein to get the leverage.

Mike is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rubenstein pulls his head out easily.
Mike is breathing heavily.

Rubenstein seems to be looking for submissions.
Rubenstein lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Mike looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Rubenstein is working for a kimura but Mike is defending it quite comfortably.
Rubenstein content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mike looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rubenstein seems to be looking for submissions.

Rubenstein seems to be looking for submissions.
Mike is looking for a sweep. Rubenstein is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rubenstein passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Mike!

Rubenstein looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saul Rubenstein dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Mike looking to score a takedown here. Rubenstein is defending well but Mike drives through and ends up in Rubenstein's guard.

Mike drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rubenstein looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rubenstein looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rubenstein!
Mike tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rubenstein wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mike manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rubenstein's best efforts.

Rubenstein is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Mike looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mike actively working from the bottom here.
Mike takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rubenstein is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mike sees it coming and defends easily.

Rubenstein is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mike doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rubenstein.

Rubenstein is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rubenstein lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mike looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mike looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rubenstein lands strikes from half guard.
Rubenstein is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Rubenstein moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Mike.

Rubenstein looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rubenstein is working Mike over with some ground and pound from side control.
Mike is looking to regain half guard here but Rubenstein keeps moving and retains side control.

Rubenstein thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Mike is not content to let Rubenstein control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rubenstein cracks Mike with a big elbow.
Mike regains half guard.
Saul Rubenstein is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Rubenstein maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Mike could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Rubenstein has cracked it and Mike is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Rubenstein!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Saul Rubenstein!