PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raider Vancan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinny Ruggiero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Raider Vancan has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Vancan
vs
Ruggiero

177 cm
25
269 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

200 cm
27
255 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

The Choke´s On You

The Choke´s On You
Ganja's Warehouse (95% Laundering)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raider Vancan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vinny Ruggiero!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Emerson Jorge and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ruggiero clinches with his opponent.
Vancan goes for a takedown attempt but Ruggiero pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Vancan closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Vancan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ruggiero defending well though.
Vancan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Vancan is nestled in close to Ruggiero, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

It looks like Vinny Ruggiero has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vancan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Vancan is trying to control the action in half guard but Ruggiero is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Vancan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Vancan throwing shots but Ruggiero is blocking nicely.
Ruggiero regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Vancan.
Vancan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vancan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vancan distracts Ruggiero with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That has opened up Vinny Ruggiero's cut even more.
Vancan throwing strikes from guard but Ruggiero blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vancan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ruggiero works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vancan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vancan throws a big elbow that misses.
Vancan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Vancan throws a strike but Ruggiero rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Vancan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vancan wants to stand but Ruggiero is controlling the position.
Ruggiero preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vancan is working hard here to advance position.
Vancan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ruggiero is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Ruggiero rushes Vancan and presses him up against the cage.
Nice elbow from Ruggiero.

It looks like Raider Vancan has been cut.
Ruggiero stops a takedown attempt from Vancan.
Vancan is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raider Vancan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vancan takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vancan is trying to drag Ruggiero to the mat but Ruggiero just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Vancan is working for takedown but Ruggiero is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ruggiero trying to control the position but instead, Vancan has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ruggiero into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ruggiero.
Vancan is trying to drag Ruggiero to the mat but Ruggiero just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Vancan wants to take the fight to the mat but Ruggiero manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ruggiero obliges.
Vancan is breathing heavily.
Ruggiero lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ruggiero putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Vancan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Ruggiero breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vancan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ruggiero counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ruggiero breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ruggiero ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vancan moves away.
Ruggiero lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Ruggiero has Vancan up against the cage in a clinch.
Vancan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ruggiero gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vancan changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ruggiero fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Ruggiero forces Vancan back against the cage and clinches.
Vancan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ruggiero gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Vancan has Ruggiero pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ruggiero manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Vancan tries to score a body lock takedown but Ruggiero shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Ruggiero's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vinny Ruggiero is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ruggiero swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Vancan.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vancan shoots in and drives through. Ruggiero sprawls well.

Ruggiero moves into range and clinches up with Vancan.
Vancan tries for a takedown but Ruggiero manages to get underhooks.
Ruggiero lands an elbow just above Vancan 's eye.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ruggiero.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vinny Ruggiero will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Vancan tries for a takedown but Ruggiero sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vancan shoots and misses

and Ruggiero counters by clinching up.
Ruggiero landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Vancan drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ruggiero pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raider Vancan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ruggiero has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ruggiero landing knees to the head.
Ruggiero connects with a knee to the head.
Ruggiero landing knees to the head.

Ruggiero escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ruggiero lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ruggiero gets a clinch.
Ruggiero is stalling here.
Ruggiero gets underhooks to prevent Vancan's takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ruggiero scores with a knee to the head.

Raider Vancan's cut is getting worse.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruggiero lands a knee to the body.
Ruggiero lands a good knee to the midsection. Vancan won't want to take too many of those.

Ruggiero breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ruggiero closes the distance and pushes Vancan back into the cage.

Ruggiero breaks the clinch.

Ruggiero moves into range and clinches up with Vancan.

Vancan gets a trip takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ruggiero looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ruggiero trying to control from the bottom.
Ruggiero is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Vancan scores with a couple of nice shots.

The cut above Vinny Ruggiero's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Vancan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ruggiero's head.
Ruggiero is trying to stand up here but Vancan is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruggiero trying to hold on to Vancan's head to control him but Vancan postures up.
Ruggiero makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ruggiero.
Ruggiero pulls Vancan in close to prevent any damage.
Vancan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ruggiero swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vancan is looking to pass into half guard but Ruggiero pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ruggiero is in guard.

Vancan is working an open guard so Ruggiero takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Vancan closes the distance and clinches up with Ruggiero, looking for a takedown. Vancan pushes Ruggiero against the cage but Ruggiero circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ruggiero fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Vancan, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vancan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ruggiero gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ruggiero lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Vancan is working for takedown but Ruggiero is calmly controlling the position for now.

Ruggiero's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ruggiero closes the distance and clinches.
Ruggiero prevents the takedown attempt.
Ruggiero slows down the pace here.
Vancan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ruggiero pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Vancan drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ruggiero pulls his leg out and moves away.
Vancan doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ruggiero counters with a stiff right hand.
Raider Vancan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vancan takes one on the button.
Vancan misses with a takedown attempt

and Ruggiero moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ruggiero pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ruggiero clinches up against the cage.
Ruggiero prevents a takedown attempt there.
Vancan takes a knee right on the jaw!

Raider Vancan's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Ruggiero stops a takedown attempt from Vancan.
Vinny Ruggiero seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ruggiero lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Ruggiero.
Ruggiero lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ruggiero scores with a shoulder strike.

Ruggiero breaks the clinch.

Ruggiero closes the distance and pushes Vancan back into the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ruggiero landing knees to the body.
Ruggiero pushes Vancan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Jeez, Raider Vancan's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Ruggiero landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ruggiero with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny Ruggiero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ruggiero clinches with his opponent.
Ruggiero lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Vancan is rocked!
Ruggiero using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Oh Vancan is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ruggiero's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Vancan goes for a takedown attempt but Ruggiero pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ruggiero is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Ruggiero takes the fight into the clinch.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Ruggiero. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Ruggiero crunches a lovely knee into Vancan's ribcage.
Ruggiero works on Vancan's body with a couple of short punches.

Ruggiero escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vinny Ruggiero is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ruggiero rushes Vancan and presses him up against the cage.
Ruggiero has Vancan pushed against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Ruggiero.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ruggiero lands a nice elbow.

Ruggiero breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Ruggiero has closed the distance and engaged Vancan in a clinch.
Ruggiero effectively controlling the action here.
Ruggiero gets through Vancan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Clinched against the cage, Ruggiero lands a big elbow that drops Vancan! The ref dives in to save him from more shots - Vancan is complaining that he's OK but he was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vinny Ruggiero!
Vinny Ruggiero is the new heavyweight champion!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Vinny Ruggiero waved his t-shirt featuring Vitality's logo in front of the cameras.