PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tupou Tuivaga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rollie Ranchod (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ranchod has chosen Ace of Base - All She wants is another Baby as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Tupou Tuivaga has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tuivaga
vs
Ranchod

185 cm
19
213 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

182 cm
25
195 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tupou Tuivaga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rollie Ranchod!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Francis DeMontford and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tuivaga moves into the clinch successfully.
Ranchod looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Tuivaga is trying to push Ranchod away but Ranchod has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Ranchod breaks from the clinch.

Tuivaga shoots in and gets a takedown into Ranchod's guard.
Tuivaga advances position into side control!
Tuivaga wants to control but Ranchod is keeping him busy.
Tuivaga works to advance to full mount. Ranchod defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Tuivaga landing punches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tuivaga trying to control but Ranchod is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ranchod blocking the ground and pound.
Ranchod felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Tuivaga trying to control but Ranchod is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tuivaga raining down hammerfists from mount.
Ranchod really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tuivaga. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Tuivaga working for a guillotine from mount but Ranchod is in no mood to give up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuivaga looking to control and managing it successfully.
Tuivaga landing strikes from the mount and Ranchod is in trouble!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tuivaga postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ranchod looks a forlorn figure.
Tuivaga can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ranchod is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuivaga lands with some strikes.
Tuivaga misses with a head shot.
Tuivaga 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuivaga is landing with some decent strikes but Ranchod is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Ranchod is rocked!
Ranchod blocking the ground and pound.
Ranchod is still in real trouble! Can Tuivaga finish him?

Tuivaga has control of Ranchod's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ranchod regains control of the situation pretty easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tuivaga has hold of Ranchod's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ranchod manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tupou Tuivaga dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tuivaga goes for a double leg but Ranchod avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ranchod continues to drive forward.
Ranchod seems to have recovered his senses.
Ranchod stalling the fight.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ranchod is trying to force a seperation but Tuivaga has the dominant position.
Tuivaga has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ranchod after a bit of a struggle.
Tuivaga is looking to control Ranchod's arms but Ranchod gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tuivaga has his back to the cage.
Tuivaga is trying to break free.

Tuivaga has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ranchod uses from the top position.

Ranchod got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tuivaga has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ranchod has managed to get both his arms back between Tuivaga's legs - danger averted.
Tuivaga is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ranchod is controlling him.
Ranchod is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tuivaga working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ranchod doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ranchod manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Tuivaga is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ranchod is aware though and is defending well.

Tuivaga pushes Ranchod off and scrambles back to his feet.

Tuivaga gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tuivaga is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tupou Tuivaga. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tuivaga's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tuivaga tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ranchod sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tuivaga somewhat.

Tuivaga rushes Ranchod and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ranchod wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tuivaga has him pressed against the cage.
Tuivaga is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ranchod can do to turn this around?
Ranchod taking a breather.
Ranchod content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ranchod has had enough of the clinch but Tuivaga keeps him there for the moment.
Tuivaga drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ranchod pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tuivaga fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ranchod looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ranchod gets caught napping as Tuivaga dives in and scores a takedown. Ranchod manages to retain guard.

Tuivaga stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Tuivaga gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tuivaga is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ranchod gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Tuivaga takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Tuivaga has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ranchod after a bit of a struggle.
Tuivaga misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ranchod.
Tuivaga keeps control of Ranchod as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tuivaga wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ranchod has him pressed against the cage.
Tuivaga is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ranchod to keep the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ranchod lands with a light punch inside.
Ranchod takes an elbow to the forehead.
Tuivaga is looking to take this one to the mat.
Tuivaga tries for a takedown but Ranchod manages to get underhooks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tuivaga is trying to break the clinch but Ranchod is controlling him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ranchod trying to land knees to the body.
Tuivaga has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ranchod avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ranchod is trying to maintain a safe position but Tuivaga gets an underhook and turns Ranchod into the cage.
Ranchod is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tuivaga jumps guard.
Ranchod must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tuivaga looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tupou Tuivaga dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tuivaga closes the distance and clinches.
Ranchod blocks an elbow strike from Tuivaga.
Tuivaga throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Tuivaga tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ranchod just stands there and leans against the cage.

Tuivaga pulls guard effortlessly.
Tuivaga is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Tuivaga stops Ranchod from getting back to his feet.
Ranchod takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tuivaga works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuivaga lands a heavy elbow.
Ranchod is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Tuivaga wants to control the pace but Ranchod is squirming around nicely.
Tuivaga content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tuivaga wants to finish this one by submission but Ranchod is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Tuivaga.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Tuivaga cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuivaga lands a big elbow.
Tuivaga lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Tuivaga looking to control but Ranchod is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tuivaga lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tuivaga is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Tuivaga extends the arm and Ranchod is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tupou Tuivaga!
Rollie Ranchod spoke after the fight, saying 'Rematch, rematch, rematch... '.