PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rory Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Deni Mukhtar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mukhtar has chosen Goyang Dumang as his entrance music. Deni Mukhtar acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Russo
vs
Mukhtar

190 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

225 cm
21
225 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rory Russo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Deni Mukhtar!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Damien Edna and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mukhtar pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Russo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Russo fails with a takedown attempt.
Rory Russo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russo misses with a hook
and Mukhtar counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Rory Russo has been cut.
Mukhtar misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russo throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Mukhtar tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mukhtar takes the fight into the clinch.

Russo has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Mukhtar is trying to keep an underhook but Russo manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Russo seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Russo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mukhtar keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Russo not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mukhtar manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Russo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mukhtar is looking to stand back up but Russo counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Mukhtar.
Mukhtar tries to roll over but Russo keeps him under control.

Mukhtar is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Russo pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo is taking a breather. Mukhtar says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Mukhtar tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Russo has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Russo punishing his opponent with strikes.
Mukhtar is working to get back to half guard.
Mukhtar is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo controlling his opponent.
Russo could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Mukhtar tries to lock up and control but Russo gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mukhtar can't escape the position.
Mukhtar looks winded!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Russo controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Russo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rory Russo's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Russo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mukhtar needs to keep his hands up - Russo had a free shot at his head there.

Mukhtar takes the fight into the clinch.
Russo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Russo wants a takedown but no success here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russo jumps guard but Mukhtar stands there with Russo around his waist. Russo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rory Russo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Russo has picked Mukhtar up - he's going for a ride! Russo dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Rory Russo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mukhtar actively working from the bottom here.
Mukhtar has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Sydney. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Mukhtar looks like he's trying to stand up.
Russo slows the pace down in half guard.
Mukhtar has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Russo is working away from the top position though.
Mukhtar wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mukhtar takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Mukhtar throws a sloppy head kick and Russo moves out of range easily.
Mukhtar is breathing heavily.
Mukhtar fails with the takedown.
Mukhtar staying out of range there.
Mukhtar throws a counter combo.
Russo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mukhtar can do to turn this around?
Russo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rory Russo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mukhtar walks forward, straight into a front kick from Russo.
Russo looks to land a combination. Mukhtar sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A big left from Mukhtar misses.
Russo bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Mukhtar looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Russo scores with a takedown into Mukhtar's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Russo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Russo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Mukhtar wants to control but Russo passes easily into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mukhtar keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Russo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rory Russo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Nice shot lands for Russo.
Rory Russo is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mukhtar. Russo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Russo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mukhtar moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Russo gets a clinch.

Russo jumps guard.
Russo keeping full guard, as Mukhtar tries to pass.
Russo pulls Mukhtar in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo looking for a sweep. Not yet Russo, not yet.
Russo has control of Mukhtar's left arm, preventing Mukhtar from doing any damage.

Russo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mukhtar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Russo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Russo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mukhtar as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Russo scores with a spinning back kick!
Russo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mukhtar.
Mukhtar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mukhtar tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Russo swivels and escapes.
A head kick misses from Mukhtar.

Russo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Russo working the head with strikes.
Russo taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Russo staying calm.

Russo stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's four 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.

Russo closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mukhtar's guard.
Russo content to stall in guard here.
Russo has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mukhtar looking for a sweep. Not yet Mukhtar, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rory Russo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Russo, 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rory Russo!